Bipyridyl derivatives

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel bipyridyl derivatives of formula (I) and to the use of such compounds in which the inhibition, regulation and/or modulation of signal transduction by ATP consuming proteins like kinases plays a role, particularly to inhibitors of TGF-beta receptor kinases, and to the use of such compounds for the treatment of kinase-induced diseases, in particular for the treatment of tumors.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to novel bipyridyl derivatives and to the use of such compounds in which the inhibition, regulation and/or modulation of signal transduction by ATP consuming proteins like kinases plays a role, particularly to inhibitors of TGF-beta receptor kinases, and to the use of the compounds for the treatment of kinase-induced diseases.

PRIOR ART

Proteins which bind ATP and utilize its energy to change conformation, to phosphorylate substrates, and to initiate signaling cascades are known from many classes, like kinases, phosphatases, chaperones or isomerases. With specific tools and techniques ATP-binding proteins can be enriched.

From the large family of protein kinases, split into subfamilies of tyrosine kinases and serine threonine kinases, a partial list includes cAbl, Akt, ALK, ALK1 and its family members like ALK1 and ALK5, Axl, Aurora A and B, Btk, Dyrk2, EGFR, Erk, Ephrin receptors like EphA2, FAK, FGF receptors like FGFR3, insulin receptor IR and insulin like growth factor receptor IGF1R, IKK2, Jak2, JNK3, cKit, LimK, VEGF receptors 1, 2, and 3, Mek1, Met, P70s6K, PDGFR, PDK1, PI3K, PIk1, PKD1, bRaf, RSK1, Src and its family members, TAK1, Trk A, B, C, Zap70. The different kinases can be described under several synonyms, well known to the one skilled in the art and accessible in data bases like Kinweb to find a gene and protein report with alternative names, classification, gene annotation, sequence and gene structure, and links to the pdb 3D structure information. Similarly, proteomics server will give access to a lot of information and analysis and prediction tools for genes and proteins, including kinases.

As a mechanistic part of the hallmarks of cancer, Ser/Thr kinases and receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) are phosphorylating enzymes essential in cellular signaling. Cell cycle, survival, proliferation and cell death are cellular processes, regulated by cell signaling, to permit tissue to grow, to regenerate and to be in homeostasis, or to regress. Some kinases are therefore exquisite targets for mammalian therapy.

Of the different families of kinases, which are part of the human kinome the receptor tyrosine kinase KDR, also called VEGF receptor 2, can stimulate endothelial cell survival and proliferation if ligated extra cellular by VEGF. Ligand binding can then lead to intracellular phosphorylation events, a signaling cascade and ultimately to proliferation. Inhibition of this KDR signaling is attempted by various therapies.

Other kinases and ligands important for function of endothelial cells are TIE2 kinase and the angiopoietins, PDGF receptor and PDGF as well as PIGF. Ephrin receptor kinase and ephrins, especially EphB4 and ephrin-B2. In addition, the ligand TGFβ and its receptors TGFβR, i.e. Alk1/Alk5 play an important role in maintenance of vascular integrity. By binding to the TGFβ type II receptor TGFβ can activate 2 distinct type I receptors in endothelial cells, i.e. the EC-restricted ALK1 and the broadly expressed ALK5 with opposite effects on EC behavior. ALK1 stimulates EC proliferation and migration via Smad1/5 transcription factors, ALK5 inhibits those functions via Smad2/3 transcription factors. One example for an Alk5 kinase inhibitor that facilitates EC proliferation and sheet formation is SB-431542. Ligand binding inhibition might be an additional approach to modulate TGFβ receptor signaling also in angiogenesis. This was shown with 2 peptides and also discussed for soluble TGFβ receptors TβR-Fc. Use of anti-TGFβ antibodies, even a TGFβ trap, would be another strategy to inhibit TGFβ signaling.

The TGFβ proteins comprise a family of conserved dimeric proteins with a molecular weight of ˜25 kDa, which are ubiquitously expressed and secreted in an inactive form. Local proteolysis in response to appropriate stimuli leads to active TGFβ ligands. TGFβ signaling is implicated in numerous conditions and diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular, bone, CNS, PNS, inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders.

In epithelial cells, TGFβ inhibits cell proliferation. The transition of normal epithelial cell into carcinoma cells is accompanied by down-regulation of the growth-inhibition response to TGFβ, allowing the cells to escape the autocrine tumor suppressor activities of TGFβ signaling. The increased production of TGFβ by carcinoma cells contributes to the invasive and metastatic behavior of the cancer cells. TGFβ can induce an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that allows the cells to become invasive and migratory. In addition, the increased TGFβ production exerts effects on stromal and immune cells to provide a favorable microenvironment for cancer progression. TGFβ proteins signal through TβR-I/II receptor kinases and their Smad substrates, but can also signal independent of Smads, such as ERK MAP kinases, PI3 kinase, Rho-like GTPases, protein phosphatase 2A, and Par6. Activated type I TβR kinases enhance survival of cells and can accelerate pathological cell progression.

TGFβ receptor type I and II (TβR I, TβR II) are single-pass transmembrane-spanning intracellular serine/threonine kinases presenting extracellular ligand (TGFβ) binding receptors. Intra-cellular signaling proceeds via auto-phosphorylation, trans-phosphorylation and substrate phosphorylation, leading to modulation of target gene expression. Cloning and genomic organization of TβR proteins is well-known. TβR sequences are deposited in www.uniprot.org as TGFR1_human with accession number P36897, and as TGFβR2_human with accession number P37173. On protein level, type I TβR is described to contain a region rich in Gly and Ser (GS domain) preceeding the receptor kinase domain. TβR II is in its auto/phosphorylated state a constitutively active kinase which binds to the type I receptor and phosphorylates it in the GS domain.

TβReceptor, a ligand TGFβ-bound (activated) tetrameric complex of 2 TβR I and 2 TβR II units, is able to phosphorylate Smads (Smad 2 and Smad 3) in their C-terminal SSXS motifs as substrates which in turn are bound to/by Smad4 to be translocated to the cell nucleus, where they modulate TGFβ responsive genes. The different domains which regulate homomeric and heteromeric complex formation among type I and type II TβRs are known. Mutations in the GS domain of TβR I can be constitutively activating. Kinase inactivating mutation were found with K232R for type I and K277R for type II TβR. Inactivating or attenuating mutations in the genes for Type I and Type II TβR genes are found in a variety of cancers. In addition, signaling of TβRs is regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation mechanisms, ubiquitinylation and sumoylation, and by endocytosis and by TACE-mediated ectodomain shedding of type I, but not type II receptors TACE, aka ADAM-17, which mediates shedding of cytokines, GF receptors, and adhesion proteins and is highly expressed in cancers.

The X-ray co-crystal structure of TβR I and FKBP12 has been described, and the kinase activation process was discussed. Meanwhile, several crystal structures can be found in the PDB data base: 1B6C, 1IAS, 1PY5, 1RW8, 1VJY, 2PJY, and a model 1TBI. For TβR II only X-ray studies for the extracellular ligand binding domain are known to the public: 1KTZ, 1M9Z, and 1PLO (NMR), but none of the kinase domain.

TGFβ signal transduction involves Smads, the only substrates for TβR type I receptor kinases. The human genome encodes eight Smads from 3 subfamilies (R-, Co-, I-Smads), which are ubiquitously expressed throughout development and in adult tissue. Smads not only are phosphorylated by Type I TGFβ receptor kinases but they are also regulated by oligomerisation, ubiquitinylation and degradation, and nucleoplasmatic shuttling.

It was shown that VEGF release is regulated by ALK1 and ALK5, whereas TGFβ enhanced and BMP-9 suppressed expression of VEGF.

Studies with truncated ALK4 isoforms suggest involvement of this type I kinase in growth and development of pituitary tumors, by a dominant negative inhibition of activin signaling. Studies of the spatiotemporal window of roles of ALK4 in embryonic development, regulation of the mesoderm induction, primitive streak formation, gastrulation, primary axis formation and left-right axis determination are still not clarifying the role of ALK4 in adult.

In a large scale human candidate screen it was found that dominant-negative ALK2 alleles are associated with congenital heart disease, like improper atrioventrikular septum development.

ALK1 binds TβR-II and Endoglin/CD105/TβR-III and phosphorylates SMAD-1 and -5. The role of endoglin and especially the differential modulation of TGFβ signaling by two variants, L- and S-endoglin, have been shown. ALK1 functions in vascular remodeling and is found with ALK5 in balancing the activation state of endothelium in inflamed tissue, wounds and tumor. ALK1 is expressed in lung, placenta, and other highly vascularized tissue, and is selectively found on ECs. In addition, ALK1 was detected on neurons.

Loss of expression of type II TβR correlates with high tumor grade in human breast carcinomas, indicating a contribution to beast cancer progression. Tumor growth can be characterized by deregulated i.e. autonomous cell growth due to perturbation of RTK signaling by mutations or other genetic alterations. Of the 32000 human coding genes which are involved in signal transduction, more than 520 protein kinases and 130 protein phosphatases exert tight and reversible control on protein phosphorylation. Selectivity is found for tyrosine and for serine/threonine phosphorylation. There are more than 90 known PTK genes in the human genome, more than 50 encode transmembrane RPTKs distributed in 20 subfamilies, and 32 encode cytoplasmic, non-receptor PTKs in 10 subfamilies. For example Trk A has an important role in thyroid carcinomas and neuroblastomas, EphB2 and B4 are over-expressed in carcinomas, Axl and Lck are over-expressed in leukemia.

TGFβ inhibitors for the treatment of cancer were reviewed. There are further indications and pathologies, indirect targeting cancer, wound healing and inflammation via anti-angiogenesis, blood vessel formation, stabilization, maintenance and regression.

Angiogenesis, the development of new vessels from pre-existing vessels, is critical in vascular development in embryogenesis, organogenesis, and wound healing. In addition to those physiological processes, angiogenesis is important for tumor growth, metastasis and inflammation, resulting in diseases like tumors of the breast, uterine cervix, uterine corpus (endometrium), ovary, lung, bronchus, liver, kidney, skin, oral cavity and pharynx, prostate, pancreas, urinary bladder, blood cells, colon, rectum, bone, brain, central and peripheral nervous system, exemplified as breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gliomas, lymphomas, and so on, and of inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, or diseases of the eye, like macula degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Molecular mechanisms of blood vessel formation and the angiogenic switch in tumorigenesis were recently discussed. Vascular patterning is regulated by Eph receptor tyrosine kinases and ephrin ligands, e.g. ephrin-B2 signaling via Eph B4 and Eph B1. EphB4 controls vascular morphogenesis during postnatal angiogenesis. The maturation of nascent vasculature, formed by angiogenesis or vasculogenesis, requires mural cells (pericytes, smooth muscle cells), generation of extracellular matrix and specialization of the vessel wall for structural support and regulation of vessel function. Regulation of those processes and interaction between endothelial cells and their mural cells involves several ligand kinase pairs, like VEGF/VEGFR1, VEGFR2, EphrinB2/EphB4, PDGFR/PDGFRβ, Angiopoietins/TIE2, TGFβ/TGFβR-ALK1/ALK5. Vessel assembly, capillary formation, sprouting, stabilization and destabilization, even regression, is regulated by a functional balance of those kinases and ligands. Lymphangiogenesis is regulated via VEGF receptor 3 and its ligands VEGF C, and D, as well as TIE2 and its ligands angiopoietins 1, 2. Inhibition of VEGFR3 and/or TIE2 signaling and therefore inhibition of formation of lymphatic vessels can be a mean to stop metastasis of tumor cells. The whole body of information about pathological vascularisation leads to the assumption for inhibition of angiogenesis being a promising strategy for treatment of cancer and other disorders.

The importance of TGFβ receptors for angiogenic processes is shown by Alk1, endoglin, Alk5 and TβRII KO mice all exhibiting an embryonic lethal phenotype due to vascular defects. In addition, in ECs TGFβ ligands are able to stimulate two pathways, with Smad 1/5/8 phosphorylation downstream of Alk1 and Smad2/3 phosphorylation downstream of Alk5. Both pathways cross-talk with each other. Alk5 knock-in mice with L45 loop mutations show defective Smad activation. TGFβ/Alk5 signaling is antagonized by ALK1 in ECs.

TGFβ exists in at least five isoforms (TGFβ1-5), which are not related to TGFa, with TGFβ1 as the prevalent form. TGFβ is a ubiquitous and essential regulator of cellular and physiological processes including proliferation, differentiation, migration, cell survival, angiogenesis and immunosurveillance.

Since cancer cells express tumor-specific antigens they normally would be recognized by the immune system and would be destroyed. During tumorigenesis cancer cells acquire the ability to evade this immunosurveillance by multiple mechanisms. A major mechanism is cancer cell mediated immunosuppression by secretion of TGFβ, a potent immunosuppressive cytokine. TGFβ has the potential to switch from being a tumor suppressor to a tumor promoter and prometastatic factor. TGFβ function is transmitted by a tetrameric receptor complex, consisting of two groups of transmembrane serine-threonine kinase receptors, called type I and type II receptors, which are activated following engagement of members of the TGFβ superfamily of ligands, which is divided in 2 groups, the TGFβ/Activin and BMP/GDF branches. TGFβ1, 2, and 3 belong to the TGFβ/Activin branch of ligands. These binding events specify downstream responses that are differentially regulated in different cell types.

Importance of fibroblasts in mesenchymal-epithelial interaction in skin during wound repair was described in an inducible postnatal deletion of TGFβ RII in skin fibroblasts. During wound repair, expression of the ligand TGFβ and its receptor types RI and RII are timely and spatially regulated. CD109, a GPI linked cell surface antigen, expressed by CD34+ acute myeloid leukemia cell lines, ECs, activated platelets and T-cells are part of the TβR system in human keratinocytes. Follicle Stem Cells (FSCs) in the bulge region of hair follicle can give rise to multiple lineages during hair cycle and wound healing. Smad4, a common mediator of TGFβ signaling is part of FSCs maintenance. Smad4 KO studies in mouse skin showed hair follicle defects and squamous cell carcinoma formation. The potential suppression of TGFβ delayed catagen progression in hair follicles. The well described role of TGFβ in keratinocyte apoptosis during catagen phase is likely to involve anagen-specific hair follicle components also involving co-localized TβRI and TβRII.

Abnormal activity of TGFβ in fibrosis of several organs, such as skin, kidney, heart and liver, is known, being a rational for use of TβR inhibitors in fibrotic diseases. Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), a complex disorder of connective tissue leading to fibrosis of the skin and inner organs, was shown to be TGFβ/receptor RI dependent. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a condition potentially treatable with ALK5 inhibitors because abnormal proliferation of peripheral arterial smooth muscle cells is driven by activated TGFβ receptors. Treatment in rats was successful with SB525334. Benefit in rat was also shown with IN-1233. Renal fibrosis can lead to diabetes.

Beneficial side effects of TβR kinase inhibitor derivatives and a connection between TGFβ signaling and hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication is known. TGFβ signaling is discussed as an emerging stem cell target in metastatic breast cancer. TGFβ1, 2, 3 and their receptors are expressed in neurons, astrocytes and microglia. Improvement of pathological outcome with TGFβ signaling modulators can be expected. The TGFβ superfamily in cardiovascular disease, like atherosclerosis, myocardial ischemia and cardiac remodeling is focus of an issue of cardiovascular research.

Further details on the biochemistry of TGFβ are disclosed in WO 2009/004753, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference in the disclosure of the invention hereby.

In addition, RON kinase is a valuable target in tumor biology (Wagh et al. (2008) Adv Cancer Res. 100:1-33). The Met-related receptor tyrosine kinase RON is involved in tumor growth and metastasis. The RON receptor is a member of the Met family of cell surface receptor tyrosine kinases and is primarily expressed on epithelial cells and macrophages. The biological response of RON is mediated by binding of its ligand, hepatocyte growth factor-like protein/macrophage stimulating-protein (HGFL). HGFL is primarily synthesized and secreted from hepatocytes as an inactive precursor and is activated at the cell surface. Binding of HGFL to RON activates RON and leads to the induction of a variety of intracellular signaling cascades that leads to cellular growth, motility and invasion. Recent studies have documented RON overexpression in a variety of human cancers including breast, colon, liver, pancreas, and bladder. Moreover, clinical studies have also shown that RON overexpression is associated with both worse patient outcomes as well as metastasis. Forced overexpression of RON in transgenic mice leads to tumorigenesis in both the lung and the mammary gland and is associated with metastatic dissemination. While RON overexpression appears to be a hallmark of many human cancers, the mechanisms by which RON induces tumorigenesis and metastasis are still unclear. Several strategies are currently being undertaken to inhibit RON as a potential therapeutic target; current strategies include the use of RON blocking proteins, small interfering RNA (siRNA), monoclonal antibodies, and small molecule inhibitors. In total, these data suggest that RON is a critical factor in tumorigenesis and that inhibition of this protein, alone or in combination with current therapies, may prove beneficial in the treatment of cancer patients.

In addition, TAK1, or CHK2 are valuable targets in immunity and cellular damage response pathways (Delaney & Mlodzik (2006) Cell Cycle 5(24): 2852-5, describing TGF-beta activated kinase-1 and new insights into the diverse roles of TAK1 in development and immunity. A number of recent publications have examined the role of TAK1 in model systems ranging from fly to mouse. Rather than fit into a clearly defined linear molecular pathway, TAK1 seems to act in a signaling nexus that responds to a variety of upstream signals, including inflammatory molecules and developmental cues. TAK1 then influences a number of downstream processes ranging from innate immune responses to patterning and differentiation via JNK, NFkappaB and TCFbeta-catenin signaling. These differences in function are not simply a matter of cell type. For example, NFkappaB signaling in a particular cell may or may not require TAK1 depending on the nature of the activating signal. Interestingly, the multi-task functionality of TAK1 is conserved between vertebrate and invertebrate species. Studies of TAK1 in multiple experimental systems are likely to reveal more roles for this kinase and also elucidate mechanisms by which other signaling molecules fulfill diverse signaling roles.

Furthermore, the checkpoint kinases, Chk1 and Chk2 are Ser/Thr protein kinases, which function as key regulatory kinases in cellular DNA damage response pathways limiting cell-cycle progression in the presence of DNA damage. The development of checkpoint kinase inhibitors for the treatment of cancer has been a major objective in drug discovery over the past decade, as evidenced by three checkpoint kinase inhibitors entering clinic trials since late 2005. A large number of chemically diverse Chk1 and Chk2 kinase inhibitors have appeared in the recent patent literature. Common structural motifs of the checkpoint kinase inhibitors were identified. There are currently three checkpoint kinase inhibitors in clinical development, a continuing effort by the pharmaceutical industry to identify novel scaffolds for checkpoint kinase inhibition (Janetka & Ashwell (2009) Expert Opin Ther Pat. 2009 19(2): 165-97).

Further prior art documents are as follows:

WO 2004/014891 deals with pyridazine derivatives as ligands for GABA receptors. The international application does not disclose bipyridyl derivatives.

WO 2004/084824 describes biaryl substituted 6-membered heterocycles as sodium channel blockers. The international application does not disclose bipyridyl derivatives.

WO 2004/089286 discloses pyridine derivatives as protein kinase inhibitors. The international application does not disclose bipyridyl derivatives.

WO 2006/071960 is directed to antiproliferative compounds as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The international application does not disclose bipyridyl derivatives.

US 2006/270686 relates to heteroaryl derivatives as anti-cancer agents. The US application does not disclose bipyridyl derivatives.

US 2007/191371 describes substituted heterocyclic compounds as peroxisome proliferator activated receptor PPAR modulator. The US application does not disclose bipyridyl derivatives.

WO 2008/002676 and WO 2008/127728 deal with biaryl derivatives and methods for modulating a kinase cascade. The international applications do not disclose bipyridyl derivatives.

WO 2008/008059 relates to heteroatom-containing compounds as anti-cancer agents. The international application does not disclose bipyridyl derivatives.

US 2008/280891 discloses old and new aromatic compounds useful for treating proliferative retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and cancer. The US application does not disclose bipyridyl derivatives.

WO 2009/011850 is directed to new tris(hetero)aryl substituted sulfonamide, amide or sulfide derivatives useful for treating e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, sepsis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, Chrohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, pain and cancer. The international application does not disclose bipyridyl derivatives.

WO 2009/024825 relates to 2-pyrazinylbenzimidazole derivatives as receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The international application does not disclose bipyridyl derivatives.

The citation of any reference in this application is not an admission that the reference is relevant prior art to this application.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has the object to provide novel bipyridyl derivatives.

The object of the present invention has surprisingly been solved in one aspect by providing compounds of formula (I)

-   -   wherein:     -   W₁, W₂, W₃ denote independently from each other N or CR³,     -   R¹ denotes monocyclic aryl having 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 C atoms or         a monocyclic heteroaryl having 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or         14 C atoms and 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 N, O and/or S atoms, each of         which can independently from each other be substituted by at         least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Y,         Hal, CN, CF₃, OY,     -   R² denotes Ar, Het¹, Het², NY-Het¹ or NY-Het², preferably         denotes Ar, Het¹ or Het², each of which can be independently         from each other substituted by R⁴,     -   R³ denotes H, NYY or NY—COY,     -   R⁴ denotes Hal, A, —(CYY)_(n)—OY, —(CYY)_(n)—NYY,         (CYY)_(n)—Het³, (CYY)_(n)—O-Het³, SY, NO₂, CF₃, CN, COOY,         —CO—NYY, —NY—COA, —NY—SO₂A, —SO₂—NYY, S(O)_(m)A, —CO-Het³,         —O(CYY)_(n)—NYY, —O(CYY)_(n)-Het³, —NH—COOA, —NH—CO—NYY,         —NH—COO—(CYY)_(n)—NYY, —NH—COO—(CYY)_(n)-Het³,         —NH—CO—NH—(CYY)_(n)—NYY, —NH—CO—NH(CYY)_(n)-Het³,         —OCO—NH—(CYY)_(n)—NYY, —OCO—NH—(CYY)_(n)-Het³, CHO, COA, ═S,         ═NY, ═O,     -   Y denotes H or A,     -   A denotes unbranched or branched alkyl having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,         7, 8, 9 or 10 C atoms, in which 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7H atoms can         be replaced independently from one another by Hal and/or in         which one or two CH₂ groups can be replaced independently of one         another by a O, S, SO, SO₂, a —CY═CY— group and/or a —C≡C—         group,     -   Ar denotes a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, mono- or         bicyclic carbocycle having 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 C atoms,     -   Het¹ denotes a saturated or unsaturated, mono, bi- or tricyclic         heterocycle having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,         16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 C atoms and 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 N, O and/or S         atoms,     -   Het² denotes a mono, bi- or tricyclic heteroaryl having 3, 4, 5,         6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 C atoms         and 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 N, O and/or S atoms,     -   Het³ denotes a saturated or unsaturated, mono, bi- or tricyclic         heterocycle having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,         16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 C atoms and 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 N, O and/or S         atoms, which can independently from each other be substituted by         at least one substituent selected from the group of Hal, A,         —(CYY)_(n)—OY, —(CYY)_(n)—NYY, SY, NO₂, CN, CF₃, COOY, —CO—NYY,         —NY—COA, —NY—SO₂A, —SO₂—NYY, S(O)_(m)A, —NH—COOA, —NH—CO—NYY,         CHO, COA, ═S, ═NY, ═O,     -   Hal denotes F, Cl, Br or I,     -   m denotes 0, 1 or 2,     -   n denotes 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4,     -   and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers         and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all         ratios.

In a preferred embodiment, a compound according to formula (I) is provided, wherein:

-   -   W₁, W₂, W₃ denote CR³,     -   or     -   W₁, W₂ denote CR³, and     -   W₃ denotes N,     -   and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers         and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all         ratios.

In a preferred embodiment, a compound according to formula (I) and above embodiment is provided, wherein:

-   -   R¹ denotes monocyclic aryl having 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 C atoms,         preferably phenyl, which can be independently substituted by at         least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Y,         Hal, CN, CF₃ or OY,     -   and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers         and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all         ratios.

In a preferred embodiment, a compound according to formula (I) and above embodiments is provided, wherein:

-   -   R² denotes Ar, Het² or NY-Het², preferably denotes Het², which         can independently from each other be substituted by R⁴,     -   and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers         and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all         ratios.

In a preferred embodiment, a compound according to formula (I) and above embodiments is provided, wherein:

-   -   R⁴ denotes A, CF₃, Hal, —(CYY)_(n)—OY, —(CYY)_(n)—, —NYY,         (CYY)_(n)—Het³, preferably denotes, —(CYY)_(n)—OY, —(CYY)_(n)—,         —NYY, (CYY)_(n)-Het³,     -   and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers         and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all         ratios.

In a preferred embodiment, a compound according to formula (I) and above embodiments is provided, wherein:

-   -   Het³ denotes a saturated monocyclic heterocycle having 4 or 5 C         atoms and 1 or 2 N and/or O atoms, which can be independently         substituted by at least one substituent selected from the group         of Hal, A, —(CYY)_(n)—OY, —(CYY)_(n)—NYY, SY, NO₂, CN, CF₃,         COOY, —CO—NYY, —NY—COA, —NY—SO₂A, —SO₂—NYY, S(O)_(m)A, —NH—COOA,         —NH—CO—NYY, CHO, COA, ═S, ═NY, ═O,     -   and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers         and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all         ratios.

In another aspect, the object of the present invention has surprisingly been solved by providing a compound selected from the group consisting of:

Compound 1

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- [1-(3-morpholin-4-yl- propyl)-1H-pyrazol-4- yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 2

3-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl- 5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propan-1-ol Compound 3

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- {1-[3-(4-methyl- piperazin-1-yl)-propyl]- 1H-pyrazol-4-yl}- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 4

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- [1-(1-methyl-piperidin-4- yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 5

2″-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-6- (4-methyl-piperazin-1- yl)-[3,3′;5′,4″]terpyridine Compound 6

2″-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-6- piperazin-1-yl- [3,3′;5′,4″]terpyridine Compound 7

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- (1-piperidin-4-yl-1H- pyrazol-4-yl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 8

(3-{4-[2′-(2,5-Difluoro- phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl- 5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propyl)-dimethyl-amine Compound 9

(3-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl- 5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propyl)-dimethyl-amine Compound 10

(3-{4-[2′-(5-Chloro-2- fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]- pyrazol-1-yl}-propyl)- dimethyl-amine Compound 11

2-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro-5- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]- pyrazol-1-yl}-ethanol Compound 12

2-{4-[2′-(2,5-Difluoro- phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl- 5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol Compound 13

2-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl- 5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol Compound 14

2-{4-[2′-(5-Chloro-2- fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]- pyrazol-1-yl}-ethanol Compound 15

2′-(2,5-Difluoro-phenyl)- 5-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin- 4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 16

2′-(2-Fluoro-5- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)- 5-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin- 4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 17

2′-(5-Chloro-2-fluoro- phenyl)-5-[1-(1-methyl- piperidin-4-yl)-1H- pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 18

2′-(5-Chloro-2-fluoro- phenyl)-5-(1-piperidin- 4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 19

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- quinolin-3-yl- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 20

2-(4-{6-[2-(2-Fluoro- phenyl)-pyridin-4-yl]- pyrazin-2-yl}-pyrazol-1- yl)-ethanol Compound 21

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- [1-(3-morpholin-4-yl- propyl)-1H-pyrazol-4- yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 22

3-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl- 5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propan-1-ol Compound 23

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- {1-[3-(4-methyl- piperazin-1-yl)-propyl]- 1H-pyrazol-4-yl}- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 24

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- [1-(1-methyl-piperidin-4- yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 25

2″-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-6- (4-methyl-piperazin-1- yl)-[3,3′;5′,4″]terpyridine Compound 26

2″-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-6- piperazin-1-yl- [3,3′;5′,4″]terpyridine Compound 27

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- (1-piperidin-4-yl-1H- pyrazol-4-yl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 28

(3-{4-[2′-(2,5-Difluoro- phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl- 5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propyl)-dimethyl-amine Compound 29

(3-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl- 5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propyl)-dimethyl-amine Compound 30

(3-{4-[2′-(5-Chloro-2- fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]- pyrazol-1-yl}-propyl)- dimethyl-amine Compound 31

2-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro-5- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]- pyrazol-1-yl}-ethanol Compound 32

2-{4-[2′-(2,5-Difluoro- phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl- 5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol Compound 33

2-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl- 5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol Compound 34

2-{4-[2′-(5-Chloro-2- fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]- pyrazol-1-yl}-ethanol Compound 35

2′-(2,5-Difluoro-phenyl)- 5-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin- 4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 36

2′-(2-Fluoro-5- trifluoromethyl-phenyl)- 5-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin- 4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 37

2′-(5-Chloro-2-fluoro- phenyl)-5-[1-(1-methyl- piperidin-4-yl)-1H- pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 38

2′-(5-Chloro-2-fluoro- phenyl)-5-(1-piperidin- 4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 39

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- quinolin-3-yl- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 40

2-(4-{6-[2-(2-Fluoro- phenyl)-pyridin-4-yl]- pyrazin-2-yl}-pyrazol-1- yl)-ethanol Compound 41

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- pyrazol-1-yl- [3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 42

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5- (2-trifluoromethyl-1H- pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-5- yl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl Compound 43

(2-Ethoxy-pyridin-4-yl)- [2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]- amine Compound 44

[2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-(6- methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)- amine Compound 45

(5-Ethoxymethyl-2- methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)- [2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]- amine

-   -   and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers         and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all         ratios.

For the avoidance of doubt, if chemical name and chemical structure of the above illustrated compounds do not correspond by mistake, the chemical structure is regarded to unambigously define the compound.

All the above generically or explicitly disclosed compounds, including preferred subsets/embodiments of the herein disclosed formula (I) and Compounds 1 to 45, are hereinafter referred to as compounds of the (present) invention.

The nomenclature as used herein for defining compounds, especially the compounds according to the invention, is in general based on the rules of the IUPAC organisation for chemical compounds and especially organic compounds.

The terms indicated for explanation of the above compounds of the invention always, unless indicated otherwise in the description or in the claims, have the following meanings:

The term “unsubstituted” means that the corresponding radical, group or moiety has no substituents.

The term “substituted” means that the corresponding radical, group or moiety has one or more substituents. Where a radical has a plurality of substituents, and a selection of various substituents is specified, the substituents are selected independently of one another and do not need to be identical.

The terms “alkyl” or “A” as well as other groups having the prefix “alk” for the purposes of this invention refer to acyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon radicals which may be branched or straight-chain and preferably have 1 to 10 carbon atoms, i.e. C₁-C₁₀-alkanyls, C₂-C₁₀-alkenyls and C₂-C₁₀-alkynyls. Alkenyls have at least one C—C double bond and alkynyls at least one C—C triple bond. Alkynyls may additionally also have at least one C—C double bond. Examples of suitable alkyl radicals are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, iso-pentyl, neo-pentyl, tert-pentyl, 2- or 3-methyl-pentyl, n-hexyl, 2-hexyl, isohexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-octadecyl, n-icosanyl, n-docosanyl, ethylenyl (vinyl), propenyl (—CH₂CH═CH₂; —CH═CH—CH₃, —C(═CH₂)—CH₃), butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, heptenyl, octenyl, octadienyl, octadecenyl, octadec-9-enyl, icosenyl, icos-11-enyl, (Z)-icos-11-enyl, docosnyl, docos-13-enyl, (Z)-docos-13-enyl, ethynyl, propynyl (—CH₂—C≡CH, —C≡C—CH₃), butynyl, pentynyl, hexynyl, heptynyl, octynyl. Especially preferred is C₁₋₄-alkyl. A C₁₋₄-alkyl radical is for example a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl.

The term “cycloalkyl” for the purposes of this invention refers to saturated and partially unsaturated non-aromatic cyclic hydrocarbon groups/radicals, having 1 to 3 rings, that contain 3 to 20, preferably 3 to 12, most preferably 3 to 8 carbon atoms. The cycloalkyl radical may also be part of a bi- or polycyclic system, where, for example, the cycloalkyl radical is fused to an aryl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl radical as defined herein by any possible and desired ring member(s). The bonding to the compounds of the general formula can be effected via any possible ring member of the cycloalkyl radical. Examples of suitable cycloalkyl radicals are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclodecyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclopentenyl and cyclooctadienyl. Especially preferred are C₃-C₉-cycloalkyl and C₄-C₈-cycloalkyl. A C₄-C₈-cycloalkyl radical is for example a cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl.

The term “heterocyclyl” or “heterocycle” for the purposes of this invention refers to a mono- or polycyclic system of 3 to 20, preferably 5 or 6 to 14 ring atoms comprising carbon atoms and 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 heteroatoms, in particular nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulfur which are identical or different. The cyclic system may be saturated, mono- or polyunsaturated but may not be aromatic. In the case of a cyclic system consisting of at least two rings the rings may be fused or spiro- or otherwise connected. Such “heterocyclyl” radicals can be linked via any ring member. The term “heterocyclyl” also includes systems in which the heterocycle is part of a bi- or polycyclic saturated, partially unsaturated and/or aromatic system, such as where the heterocycle is fused to an “aryl”, “cycloalkyl”, “heteroaryl” or “heterocyclyl” group as defined herein via any desired and possible ring member of the heterocycyl radical. The bonding to the compounds of the general formula can be effected via any possible ring member of the heterocycyl radical. Examples of suitable “heterocyclyl” radicals are pyrrolidinyl, thiapyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, oxapiperazinyl, oxapiperidinyl, oxadiazolyl, tetrahydrofuryl, imidazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, morpholinyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, dihydropyranyl, indolinyl, indolinylmethyl, imidazolidinyl, 2-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanyl.

The term “aryl” for the purposes of this invention refers to a mono- or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon systems having 3 to 14, preferably 5 to 14, more preferably 5 to 10 carbon atoms. The term “aryl” also includes systems in which the aromatic cycle is part of a bi- or polycyclic saturated, partially unsaturated and/or aromatic system, such as where the aromatic cycle is fused to an “aryl”, “cycloalkyl”, “heteroaryl” or “heterocyclyl” group as defined herein via any desired and possible ring member of the aryl radical. The bonding to the compounds of the general formula can be effected via any possible ring member of the aryl radical. Examples of suitable “aryl” radicals are phenyl, biphenyl, naphthyl, 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl and anthracenyl, but likewise indanyl, indenyl, or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl. The most preferred aryl is phenyl.

The term “heteroaryl” for the purposes of this invention refers to a 3 to 15, preferably 5 to 14, more preferably 5-, 6- or 7-membered mono- or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon radical which comprises at least 1, where appropriate also 2, 3, 4 or 5 heteroatoms, preferably nitrogen, oxygen and/or sulfur, where the heteroatoms are identical or different. The number of nitrogen atoms is preferably 0, 1, 2, or 3, and that of the oxygen and sulfur atoms is independently 0 or 1. The term “heteroaryl” also includes systems in which the aromatic cycle is part of a bi- or polycyclic saturated, partially unsaturated and/or aromatic system, such as where the aromatic cycle is fused to an “aryl”, “cycloalkyl”, “heteroaryl” or “heterocyclyl” group as defined herein via any desired and possible ring member of the heteroaryl radical. The bonding to the compounds of the general formula can be effected via any possible ring member of the heteroaryl radical. Examples of suitable “heteroaryl” are acridinyl, benzdioxinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzodioxolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothienyl, benzoxazolyl, carbazolyl, cinnolinyl, dibenzofuranyl, dihydrobenzothienyl, furanyl, furazanyl, furyl, imidazolyl, indazolyl, indolinyl, indolizinyl, indolyl, isobenzylfuranyl, isoindolyl, isoquinolinyl, isoquinolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, oxazolyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyridinyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrimidyl, pyrrolyl, quinazolinyl, quinolinyl, quinolyl, quinoxalinyl, tetrazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl, thienyl, thiophenyl, triazinyl, triazolyl.

For the purposes of the present invention, the terms “alkyl-cycloalkyl”, “cycloalkylalkyl”, “alkyl-heterocyclyl”, “heterocyclylalkyl”, “alkyl-aryl”, “arylalkyl”, “alkyl-heteroaryl” and “heteroarylalkyl” mean that alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycl, aryl and heteroaryl are each as defined above, and the cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl and heteroaryl radical is bonded to the compounds of the general formula via an alkyl radical, preferably C₁-C₈-alkyl radical, more preferably C₁-C₄-alkyl radical.

The term “alkyloxy” or “alkoxy” for the purposes of this invention refers to an alkyl radical according to above definition that is attached to an oxygen atom. The attachment to the compounds of the general formula is via the oxygen atom. Examples are methoxy, ethoxy and n-propyloxy, propoxy, isopropoxy. Preferred is “C₁-C₄-alkyloxy” having the indicated number of carbon atoms.

The term “cycloalkyloxy” or “cycloalkoxy” for the purposes of this invention refers to a cycloalkyl radical according to above definition that is attached to an oxygen atom. The attachment to the compounds of the general formula is via the oxygen atom. Examples are cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy, cycloheptyloxy, cyclooctyloxy. Preferred is “C₃-C₉cycloalkyloxy” having the indicated number of carbon atoms.

The term “heterocyclyloxy” for the purposes of this invention refers to a heterocyclyl radical according to above definition that is attached to an oxygen atom. The attachment to the compounds of the general formulae is via the oxygen atom. Examples are pyrrolidinyloxy, thiapyrrolidinyloxy, piperidinyloxy, piperazinyloxy.

The term “aryloxy” for the purposes of this invention refers to an aryl radical according to above definition that is attached to an oxygen atom. The attachment to the compounds of the general formula is via the oxygen atom. Examples are phenyloxy, 2-naphthyloxy, 1-naphthyloxy, biphenyloxy, indanyloxy. Preferred is phenyloxy.

The term “heteroaryloxy” for the purposes of this invention refers to a heteroaryl radical according to above definition that is attached to an oxygen atom. The attachment to the compounds of the general formula is via the oxygen atom. Examples are pyrrolyloxy, thienyloxy, furyloxy, imidazolyloxy, thiazolyloxy.

The term “carbonyl” or “carbonyl moiety” for the purposes of this invention refers to a —C(O)— group.

The term “alkylcarbonyl” for the purposes of this invention refers to a “alkyl-C(O)—” group, wherein alkyl is as defined herein.

The term “alkoxycarbonyl” or “alkyloxycarbonyl” for the purposes of this invention refers to a “alkyl-O—C(O)—” group, wherein alkyl is as defined herein.

The term “alkoxyalkyl” for the purposes of this invention refers to a “alkyl-O—alkyl-” group, wherein alkyl is as defined herein.

The term “haloalkyl” for the purposes of this invention refers to an alkyl group as defined herein comprising at least one carbon atom substituent with at least one halogen as defined herein.

The term “halogen”, “halogen atom”, “halogen substituent” or “Hal” for the purposes of this invention refers to one or, where appropriate, a plurality of fluorine (F, fluoro), bromine (Br, bromo), chlorine (Cl, chloro), or iodine (I, iodo) atoms. The designations “dihalogen”, “trihalogen” and “perhalogen” refer respectively to two, three and four substituents, where each substituent can be selected independently from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. “Halogen” preferably means a fluorine, chlorine or bromine atom. Fluorine is most preferred, when the halogens are substituted on an alkyl (haloalkyl) or alkoxy group (e.g. CF₃ and CF₃O).

The term “hydroxyl” or “hydroxy” means an OH group.

The term “composition”, as in pharmaceutical composition, for the purposes of this invention is intended to encompass a product comprising the active ingredient(s), and the inert ingredient(s) that make up the carrier, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination, complexation or aggregation of any two or more of the ingredients, or from dissociation of one or more of the ingredients, or from other types of reactions or interactions of one or more of the ingredients. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention encompass any composition made by admixing a compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The terms “administration of” and “administering a” compound should be understood to mean providing a compound of the invention or a prodrug of a compound of the invention to the individualist need.

As used herein, the term “effective amount” refers to any amount of a drug or pharmaceutical agent that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought, for instance, by a researcher or clinician. Furthermore, the term “therapeutically effective amount” means any amount which, as compared to a corresponding subject who has not received such amount, results in improved treatment, healing, prevention, or amelioration of a disease, disorder, or side effect, or a decrease in the rate of advancement of a disease or disorder. The term also includes within its scope amounts effective to enhance normal physiological function.

All stereoisomers of the compounds of the invention are contemplated, either in a mixture or in pure or substantially pure form. The compounds of the invention can have asymmetric centers at any of the carbon atoms. Consequently, they can exist in the form of their racemates, in the form of the pure enantiomers and/or diastereomers or in the form of mixtures of these enantiomers and/or diastereomers. The mixtures may have any desired mixing ratio of the stereoisomers.

Thus, for example, the compounds of the invention which have one or more centers of chirality and which occur as racemates or as diastereomer mixtures can be fractionated by methods known per se into their optical pure isomers, i.e. enantiomers or diastereomers. The separation of the compounds of the invention can take place by column separation on chiral or nonchiral phases or by recrystallization from an optionally optically active solvent or with use of an optically active acid or base or by derivatization with an optically active reagent such as, for example, an optically active alcohol, and subsequent elimination of the radical.

The compounds of the invention may be present in the form of their double bond isomers as “pure” E or Z isomers, or in the form of mixtures of these double bond isomers.

Where possible, the compounds of the invention may be in the form of the tautomers, such as keto-enol tautomers.

It is likewise possible for the compounds of the invention to be in the form of any desired prodrugs such as, for example, esters, carbonates, carbamates, ureas, amides or phosphates, in which cases the actually biologically active form is released only through metabolism. Any compound that can be converted in vivo to provide the bioactive agent (i.e. compounds of the invention) is a prodrug within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Various forms of prodrugs are well known in the art and are described for instance in:

(i) Wermuth C G et al., Chapter 31: 671-696, The Practice of Medicinal Chemistry, Academic Press 1996;

(ii) Bundgaard H, Design of Prodrugs, Elsevier 1985; and

(iii) Bundgaard H, Chapter 5: 131-191, A Textbook of Drug Design and Development, Harwood Academic Publishers 1991.

Said references are incorporated herein by reference.

It is further known that chemical substances are converted in the body into metabolites which may where appropriate likewise elicit the desired biological effect—in some circumstances even in more pronounced form.

Any biologically active compound that was converted in vivo by metabolism from any of the compounds of the invention is a metabolite within the scope and spirit of the invention.

The compounds of the invention can, if they have a sufficiently basic group such as, for example, a secondary or tertiary amine, be converted with inorganic and organic acids into salts. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention are preferably formed with hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, iodic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, methanesulfonic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, carbonic acid, formic acid, acetic acid, sulfoacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, racemic acid, malic acid, embonic acid, mandelic acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, citric acid, taurocholic acid, glutaric acid, stearic acid, glutamic acid or aspartic acid. The salts which are formed are, inter alia, hydrochlorides, chlorides, hydrobromides, bromides, iodides, sulfates, phosphates, methanesulfonates, tosylates, carbonates, bicarbonates, formates, acetates, sulfoacetates, triflates, oxalates, malonates, maleates, succinates, tartrates, malates, embonates, mandelates, fumarates, lactates, citrates, glutarates, stearates, aspartates and glutamates. The stoichiometry of the salts formed from the compounds of the invention may moreover be an integral or non-integral multiple of one.

The compounds of the invention can, if they contain a sufficiently acidic group such as, for example, the carboxy, sulfonic acid, phosphoric acid or a phenolic group, be converted with inorganic and organic bases into their physiologically tolerated salts. Examples of suitable inorganic bases are ammonium, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, and of organic bases are ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, ethylenediamine, t-butylamine, t-octylamine, dehydroabietylamine, cyclohexylamine, dibenzylethylene-diamine and lysine. The stoichiometry of the salts formed from the compounds of the invention can moreover be an integral or non-integral multiple of one.

It is likewise possible for the compounds of the invention to be in the form of their solvates and, in particular, hydrates which can be obtained for example by crystallization from a solvent or from aqueous solution. It is moreover possible for one, two, three or any number of solvate or water molecules to combine with the compounds of the invention to give solvates and hydrates.

By the term “solvate” is meant a hydrate, an alcoholate, or other solvate of crystallization.

It is known that chemical substances form solids which exist in different order states which are referred to as polymorphic forms or modifications. The various modifications of a polymorphic substance may differ greatly in their physical properties. The compounds of the invention can exist in various polymorphic forms and certain modifications may moreover be metastable. All these polymorphic forms of the compounds are to be regarded as belonging to the invention.

The compounds of the invention are surprisingly characterized by a strong and/or selective inhibition of ATP consuming proteins, preferably tyrosine kinases and serine/threonine kinases, more preferably TGF-beta, RON, TAK1, CHK2, PDK1, Met, PKD1, MINK1, SAPK2-alpha, SAPK2-beta, MKK1, GCK, HER4, ALK1, ALK2, ALK4, ALK5 and TbR type II. It is more preferred to inhibit serine/threonine kinases. Most preferred kinases to be inhibited are TGF-beta receptor kinase, RON, TAK1, PKD1, MINK1, SAPK2-alpha, SAPK2-beta and/or CHK2, highly preferably TGF-beta receptor kinase.

Due to their surprisingly strong and/or selective enzyme inhibition, the compounds of the invention can be advantageously administered at lower doses compared to other less potent or selective inhibitors of the prior art while still achieving equivalent or even superior desired biological effects. In addition, such a dose reduction may advantageously lead to less or even no medicinal adverse effects. Further, the high inhibition selectivity of the compounds of the invention may translate into a decrease of undesired side effects on its own regardless of the dose applied.

The compounds of the invention being ATP consuming protein inhibitors generally have an inhibition constant IC₅₀ of less than about 10 μM, and preferably less than about 1 μM.

The compounds according to the invention preferably exhibit an advantageous biological activity, which is easily demonstrated in enzyme-based assays, for example assays as described herein. In such enzyme-based assays, the compounds according to the invention preferably exhibit and cause an inhibiting effect, which is usually documented by IC₅₀ values in a suitable range, preferably in the micromolar range and more preferably in the nanomolar range.

As discussed herein, these signaling pathways are relevant for various diseases. Accordingly, the compounds according to the invention are useful in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases that are dependent on the said signaling pathways by interaction with one or more of the said signaling pathways. The present invention therefore relates to compounds according to the invention as promoters or inhibitors, preferably as inhibitors, of the signaling pathways described herein, particularly the TGF-β signaling pathway.

The object of the present invention has surprisingly been solved in another aspect by providing the use of a compound of the invention for inhibiting ATP consuming proteins, preferably TGF-beta receptor kinase, RON, TAK1, PKD1, MINK1, SAPK2-alpha, SAPK2-beta and/or CHK2.

The terms “inhibiting, inhibition and/or retardation” are intended to refer for the purposes of the present invention to as follows: “partial or complete inhibiting, inhibition and/or retardation”. In this case, it is within the specialist knowledge of the average person skilled in the art to measure and determine such inhibiting, inhibition, and/or retardation by means of the usual methods of measurement and determination. Thus, a partial inhibiting, inhibition and/or retardation, for example, can be measured and determined in relation to a complete inhibiting, inhibition and/or retardation.

The object of the present invention has surprisingly been solved in another aspect by providing a process for manufacturing a compound of the invention, comprising the steps of:

-   -   (a) reacting a compound of formula (II)

-   -   wherein     -   R⁵ denotes Hal or B(OH)₂, and     -   R¹ and Hal have the meaning as defined above,     -   with a compound of formula (III)

-   -   wherein     -   R⁶ denotes Hal, boronic acid or a ester of boronic acid, and     -   R², W₁, W₂, W₃ and Hal have the meaning as defined above,     -   to yield the compound of formula (I)

-   -   wherein     -   R¹, R², W₁, W₂ and W₃ have the meaning as defined above,     -   and optionally converting residue R¹ and/or R² as defined above         into another residue R¹ and/or R², e.g. by cleaving a protection         group and/or introducing an alkyl group,     -   or     -   (b) reacting a compound of formula (IV)

-   -   wherein     -   R⁷ denotes Hal, boronic acid or a ester of boronic acid, and     -   R², W₁, W₂, W₃ and Hal have the meaning as defined above,     -   with a compound of formula (V)         R⁸—R¹  (V)     -   wherein     -   R⁸ denotes Hal or B(OH)₂, and     -   R¹ and Hal have the meaning as defined above,     -   to yield the compound of formula (I)

-   -   wherein     -   R¹, R², W₁, W₂ and W₃ have the meaning as defined above,     -   and optionally converting residue R¹ and/or R² as defined above         into another residue R¹ and/or R², e.g. by cleaving a protection         group and/or introducing an alkyl group,     -   or     -   (c) reacting a compound of formula (VI)

-   -   wherein     -   R⁹ denotes Hal or B(OH)₂, and     -   R¹, W₁, W₂, W₃ and Hal have the meaning as defined above, with a         compound of formula (VII)         R¹⁰—R²  (VII)     -   wherein     -   R¹⁰ denotes Hal, boronic acid or a ester of boronic acid, and     -   R² and Hal have the meaning as defined above,     -   to yield the compound of formula (I)

-   -   wherein     -   R¹, R², W₁, W₂ and W₃ have the meaning as defined above,     -   and optionally converting residue R¹ and/or R² as defined above         into another residue R¹ and/or R², e.g. by cleaving a protection         group and/or introducing an alkyl group,     -   and optionally     -   (d) converting a base or an acid of the compound of formula (I)         into a salt thereof.

Some crude products were subjected to standard chromatography using solvent mixtures containing methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-hexane, cyclohexane, dichloromethane, n-heptane or petrol ether, respectively.

For a further detailed description of the manufacturing processes, please refer also to the examples and the following general description of the preferred conditions.

A physiologically acceptable salt of a compound of the invention can also be obtained by isolating and/or treating the compound of the invention obtained by the described reaction with an acid or a base.

The compounds of the invention and also the starting materials for their preparation are, are prepared by methods as described in the examples or by methods known per se, as described in the literature (for example in standard works, such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der Organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart; Organic Reactions, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York), to be precise under reaction conditions which are known and suitable for the said reactions. Use can also be made here of variants which are known per se, but are not mentioned here in greater detail.

The starting materials for the claimed process may, if desired, also be formed in situ by not isolating them from the reaction mixture, but instead immediately converting them further into the compounds of the invention. On the other hand, it is possible to carry out the reaction stepwise.

Preferably, the reaction of the compounds is carried out in the presence of a suitable solvent, which is preferably inert under the respective reaction conditions. Examples of suitable solvents are hydrocarbons, such as hexane, petroleum ether, benzene, toluene or xylene; chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as trichlorethylene, 1,2-dichloroethane, tetrachloromethane, chloroform or dichloromethane; alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, n-butanol or tert-butanol; ethers, such as diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, tetrahydrofuran (THF) or dioxane; glycol ethers, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether or ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (diglyme); ketones, such as acetone or butanone; amides, such as acetamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide (DMF) or N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP); nitriles, such as acetonitrile; sulfoxides, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO); nitro compounds, such as nitromethane or nitrobenzene; esters, such as ethyl acetate, or mixtures of the said solvents or mixtures with water. Polar solvents are in general preferred. Examples for suitable polar solvents are chlorinated hydrocarbons, alcohols, glycol ethers, nitriles, amides and sulfoxides or mixtures thereof. More preferred are amides, especially dimethylformamide (DMF).

As stated above, the reaction temperature is between about −100° C. and 300° C., depending on the reaction step and the conditions used.

Reaction times are generally in the range between some minutes and several days, depending on the reactivity of the respective compounds and the respective reaction conditions. Suitable reaction times are readily determinable by methods known in the art, for example reaction monitoring. Based on the reaction temperatures given above, suitable reaction times generally lie in the range between 10 min and 48 hrs.

A base of a compound of the invention can be converted into the associated acid-addition salt using an acid, for example by reaction of equivalent amounts of the base and the acid in a preferably inert solvent, such as ethanol, followed by evaporation. Suitable acids for this reaction are, in particular, those which give physiologically acceptable salts. Thus, it is possible to use inorganic acids, for example sulfuric acid, sulfurous acid, dithionic acid, nitric acid, hydrohalic acids, such as hydrochloric acid or hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acids, such as, for example, orthophosphoric acid, sulfamic acid, furthermore organic acids, in particular aliphatic, alicyclic, araliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic monobasic or polybasic carboxylic, sulfonic or sulfuric acids, for example formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, pivalic acid, diethylacetic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, pimelic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, gluconic acid, ascorbic acid, nicotinic acid, isonicotinic acid, methane- or ethanesulfonic acid, ethanedisulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, trimethoxybenzoic acid, adamantanecarboxylic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, glycolic acid, embonic acid, chlorophenoxyacetic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline, glyoxylic acid, palmitic acid, parachlorophenoxyisobutyric acid, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, glucose 1-phosphate, naphthalenemono- and -disulfonic acids or laurylsulfuric acid.

Salts with physiologically unacceptable acids, for example picrates, can be used to isolate and/or purify the compounds of the invention.

On the other hand, compounds of the invention can be converted into the corresponding metal salts, in particular alkali metal salts or alkaline earth metal salts, or into the corresponding ammonium salts, using bases (for example sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate). Suitable salts are furthermore substituted ammonium salts, for example the dimethyl-, diethyl- and diisopropylammonium salts, monoethanol-, diethanol- and diisopropanolammonium salts, cyclohexyl- and dicyclohexylammonium salts, dibenzylethylenediammonium salts, furthermore, for example, salts with arginine or lysine.

If desired, the free bases of the compounds of the invention can be liberated from their salts by treatment with strong bases, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate, so long as no further acidic groups are present in the molecule. In the cases where the compounds of the invention have free acid groups, salt formation can likewise be achieved by treatment with bases. Suitable bases are alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides or organic bases in the form of primary, secondary or tertiary amines.

Every reaction step described herein can optionally be followed by one or more working up procedures and/or isolating procedures. Suitable such procedures are known in the art, for example from standard works, such as Houben-Weyl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Georg-Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart). Examples for such procedures include, but are not limited to evaporating a solvent, distilling, crystallization, fractionised crystallization, extraction procedures, washing procedures, digesting procedures, filtration procedures, chromatography, chromatography by HPLC and drying procedures, especially drying procedures in vacuo and/or elevated temperature.

The object of the present invention has surprisingly been solved in another aspect by providing a medicament comprising at least one compound of the invention.

The object of the present invention has surprisingly been solved in another aspect by providing a medicament comprising at least one compound of the invention for use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of physiological and/or pathophysiological conditions selected from the group consisting of: “cancer, tumour, malignant tumours, benign tumours, solid tumours, sarcomas, carcinomas, hyperproliferative disorders, carcinoids, Ewing sarcomas, Kaposi sarcomas, brain tumours, tumours originating from the brain and/or the nervous system and/or the meninges, gliomas, glioblastomas, neuroblastomas, stomach cancer, kidney cancer, kidney cell carcinomas, prostate cancer, prostate carcinomas, connective tissue tumours, soft tissue sarcomas, pancreas tumours, liver tumours, head tumours, neck tumours, laryngeal cancer, oesophageal cancer, thyroid cancer, osteosarcomas, retinoblastomas, thymoma, testicular cancer, lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, small cell lung carcinoma, bronchial carcinomas, breast cancer, mamma carcinomas, intestinal cancer, colorectal tumours, colon carcinomas, rectum carcinomas, gynaecological tumours, ovary tumours/ovarian tumours, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, cervix carcinomas, cancer of body of uterus, corpus carcinomas, endometrial carcinomas, urinary bladder cancer, urogenital tract cancer, bladder cancer, skin cancer, epithelial tumours, squamous epithelial carcinoma, basaliomas, spinaliomas, melanomas, intraocular melanomas, leukaemias, monocyte leukaemia, chronic leukaemias, chronic myelotic leukaemia, chronic lymphatic leukemia, acute leukaemias, acute myelotic leukaemia, acute lymphatic leukemia, lymphomas, opthalmic diseases, choroidal neovascularization, diabetic retinopathy, inflammatory diseases, arthritis, neurodegeneration, transplant rejection, metastatic growth, fibrosis, restenosis, HIV infection, atherosclerosis, inflammation and disorders of wound healing, angiogenesis, cardiovascular system, bone, CNS and/or PNS.” A corresponding use for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of the aforementioned conditions is intended to be comprised. A corresponding method of treatment administering at least one compound of the invention to a patient in need thereof is also intended to be comprised.

Compounds of the invention may be used in combination with one or more other active substances (ingredients, drugs) in the treatment, prevention, suppression or amelioration of diseases or conditions for which compounds of the invention or the other substances have utility. Typically the combination of the drugs is safer or more effective than either drug alone, or the combination is safer or more effective than would it be expected based on the additive properties of the individual drugs. Such other drug(s) may be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used contemporaneously or sequentially with a compound of the invention. When a compound of the invention is used contemporaneously with one or more other drugs, a combination product containing such other drug(s) and the compound of the invention is preferred. However, combination therapy also includes therapies in which the compound of the invention and one or more other drugs are administered on different overlapping schedules. It is contemplated that when used in combination with other active ingredients, the compound of the present invention or the other active ingredient or both may be used effectively in lower doses than when each is used alone. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention include those that contain one or more other active ingredients, in addition to a compound of the invention.

Examples of other active substances (ingredients, drugs) that may be administered in combination with a compound of the invention, and either administered separately or in the same pharmaceutical composition, include, but are not limited to the compounds classes and specific compounds listed in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Alkylating agents Cyclophosphamide Lomustine Busulfane Procarbazine Ifosfamide Altretamine Melphalane Estramustinphosphate Hexamethylmelamine Mechlorethamine Thiotepa Streptozocine Chlorambucil Temozolomide Dacarbazine Semustine Carmustine Platinum agents Cisplatin Carboplatin Oxaliplatin ZD-0473 (AnorMED) Spiroplatin Lobaplatin (AeternaZentaris) Carboxyphthalatoplatinum Satraplatin (Johnson Tetraplatin Matthey) Ormiplatin BBR-3464 (Hoffrnann-La Iproplatin Roche) SM-11355 (Sumitomo) AP-5280 (Access) Antimetabolites Azacytidine Tomudex Gemcitabine Trimetrexate Capecitabine Deoxycoformycine 5-Fluoruracil Fludarabine Floxuridine Pentostatine 2-Chlordesoxyadenosine Raltitrexede 6-Mercaptopurine Hydroxyurea 6-Thioguanine Decitabine (SuperGen) Cytarabine Clofarabine (Bioenvision) 2-Fluordesoxycytidine Irofulven (MGI Pharma) Methotrexate DMDC (Hoffmann-La Roche) Idatrexate Ethinylcytidine (Taiho) Topoisomerase Amsacrine Rubitecane (SuperGen) inhibitors Epirubicine Exatecanmesylate (Daiichi) Etoposide Quinamed (ChemGenex) Teniposide or Mitoxantrone Gimatecane (Sigma-Tau) Irinotecane (CPT-11) Diflomotecane (Beaufour- 7-Ethyl-10- Ipsen) hydroxycamptothecine TAS-103 (Taiho) Topotecane Elsamitrucine (Spectrum) Dexrazoxanet (TopoTarget) J-107088 (Merck & Co) Pixantrone (Novuspharrna) BNP-1350 (BioNumerik) Rebeccamycin-Analogue CKD-602 (Chong Kun Dang) (Exelixis) KW-2170 (Kyowa Hakko) BBR-3576 (Novuspharrna) Antitumor antibiotics Dactinomycin (Actinomycin Amonafide D) Azonafide Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) Anthrapyrazole Deoxyrubicin Oxantrazole Valrubicin Losoxantrone Daunorubicin (Daunomycin) Bleomycinsulfate (Blenoxan) Epirubicin Bleomycinacid Therarubicin Bleomycin A Idarubicin Bleomycin B Rubidazone Mitomycin C Plicamycinp MEN-10755 (Menarini) Porfiromycin GPX-100 (Gem Cyanomorpholinodoxorubicin Pharmaceuticals) Mitoxantron (Novantron) Antimitotic agents Paclitaxel SB 408075 Docetaxel (GlaxoSmithKline) Colchicin E7010 (Abbott) Vinblastine PG-TXL (Cell Therapeutics) Vincristine IDN 5109 (Bayer) Vinorelbine A 105972 (Abbott) Vindesine A 204197 (Abbott) Dolastatine 10 (NCI) LU 223651 (BASF) Rhizoxine (Fujisawa) D 24851 (ASTA Medica) Mivobuline (Warner-Lambert) ER-86526 (Eisai) Cemadotine (BASF) Combretastatine A4 (BMS) RPR 109881A (Aventis) Isohomohalichondrin-B TXD 258 (Aventis) (PharmaMar) Epothilon B (Novartis) ZD 6126 (AstraZeneca) T 900607 (Tularik) PEG-Paclitaxel (Enzon) T 138067 (Tularik) AZ10992 (Asahi) Cryptophycin 52 (Eli Lilly) !DN-5109 (Indena) Vinflunine (Fabre) AVLB (Prescient Auristatine PE (Teikoku NeuroPharma) Hormone) Azaepothilon B (BMS) BMS 247550 (BMS) BNP-7787 (BioNumerik) BMS 184476 (BMS) CA-4-Prodrug (OXiGENE) BMS 188797 (BMS) Dolastatin-10 (NrH) Taxoprexine (Protarga) CA-4 (OXiGENE) Aromatase Aminoglutethimide Exemestane inhibitors Letrozole Atamestane (BioMedicines) Anastrazole YM-511 (Yamanouchi) Formestane Thymidylatesynthase Pemetrexed (Eli Lilly) Nolatrexed (Eximias) inhibitors ZD-9331 (BTG) CoFactor ™ (BioKeys) DNA antagonists Trabectedine (PharmaMar) Mafosfamide (Baxter Glufosfamide (Baxter International) International) Apaziquone (Spectrum Albumin + 32P (Isotope Pharmaceuticals) Solutions) O6-Benzylguanine (Paligent) Thymectacine (NewBiotics) Edotreotide (Novartis) Farnesyltransferase Arglabine (NuOncology Labs) Tipifarnibe (Johnson & inhibitors Ionafarnibe (Schering- Johnson) Plough) Perillylalcohol (DOR BAY-43-9006 (Bayer) BioPharma) Pump inhibitors CBT-1 (CBA Pharma) Zosuquidar-Trihydrochloride Tariquidar (Xenova) (Eli Lilly) MS-209 (Schering AG) Biricodar-Dicitrate (Vertex) Histoneacetyltransferase Tacedinaline (Pfizer) Pivaloyloxymethylbutyrate inhibitors SAHA (Aton Pharma) (Titan) MS-275 (Schering AG) Depsipeptide (Fujisawa) Metalloproteinase Neovastat (Aeterna CMT-3 (CollaGenex) inhibitors/ Laboratories) BMS-275291 (Celltech) Ribonucleosidereduktase Marimastat (British Biotech) Tezacitabine (Aventis) inhibitors Galliummaltolate (Titan) Didox (Molecules for Health) Triapine (Vion) TNF-alpha agonists/ Virulizine (Lorus Revimide (Celgene) antagonists Therapeutics) CDC-394 (Celgene) Endotheline-A Atrasentane (Abbot) YM-598 (Yamanouchi) receptor ZD-4054 (AstraZeneca) antagonists Retinoic acid Fenretinide (Johnson & Alitretinoin (Ligand) receptor agonists Johnson) LGD-1550 (Ligand) Immunomodulators Interferon Dexosome therapy (Anosys) Oncophage (Antigenics) Pentrix (Australian Cancer GMK (Progenics) Technology) Adenocarzinoma vaccine JSF-154 (Tragen) (Biomira) Cancer vaccine (Intercell) CTP-37 (AVI BioPharma) Noreline (Biostar) JRX-2 (Immuno-Rx) BLP-25 (Biomira) PEP-005 (Peplin Biotech) MGV (Progenics) Synchrovax vaccine (CTL 13-Alethine (Dovetail) Immuno) CLL-Thera (Vasogen) Melanoma vaccine (CTL Immuno) p21-RAS vaccine (GemVax) Hormonal and anti- Estrogens Prednisone hormonal agents Conjugated Estrogens Methylprednisolone Ethinylestradiole Prednisolone Chlorotrianisen Aminoglutethimide Idenestrole Leuprolide Hydroxyprogesteroncaproate Goserelin Medroxyprogesterone Leuporelin Testosterone Cetrorelix Testosteronpropionate Bicalutamide Fluoxymesterone Flutamide Methyltestosterone Octreotide Diethylstilbestrole Nilutamide Megestrole Mitotane Tamoxifen P-04 (Novogen) Toremofine 2-Methoxyestradiol Dexamethasone (EntreMed) Arzoxifen (Eli Lilly) Photodynamic Talaporfine (Light Sciences) Pd-Bacteriopheophorbide agents Theralux (Theratechnologies) (Yeda) Motexafin Gadolinium Lutetium-Texaphyrine (Pharmacyclics) (Pharmacyclics) Hypericine Tyrosinkinase Imatinib (Novartis) Kahalid F (PharmaMar) inhibitors Leflunomid CEP-701 (Cephalon) (Sugen/Pharmacia) CEP-751 (Cephalon) ZDI839 (AstraZeneca) MLN518 (Millenium) Erlotinib (Oncogene Science) PKC412 (Novartis) Canertjnib (Pfizer) Phenoxodiol O Squalamin (Genaera) Trastuzumab (Genentech) SU5416 (Pharmacia) C225 (ImClone) SU6668 (Pharmacia) rhu-Mab (Genentech) ZD4190 (AstraZeneca) MDX-H210 (Medarex) ZD6474 (AstraZeneca) 2C4 (Genentech) Vatalanib (Novartis) MDX-447 (Medarex) PKI166 (Novartis) ABX-EGF (Abgenix) GW2016 (GlaxoSmithKline) IMC-1C11 (ImClone) EKB-509 (Wyeth) EKB-569 (Wyeth) Different agents SR-27897 (CCK-A inhibitor, BCX-1777 (PNP inhibitor, Sanofi-Synthelabo) BioCryst) Tocladesine (cyclic-AMP Ranpirnase (Ribonuclease agonist, Ribapharm) stimulans, Alfacell) Alvocidib (CDK inhibitor, Galarubicin (RNA synthesis Aventis) inhibitor, Dong-A) CV-247 (COX-2-Inhibitor, Ivy Tirapazamin (reducing agent, Medical) SRI International) P54 (COX-2 inhibitor, N-Acetylcystein (reducing Phytopharm) agent, Zambon) CapCell ™ (CYP450 R-Flurbiprofen (NF-kappaB stimulans, Bavarian Nordic) inhibitor, Encore) GCS-IOO (gal3 antagonist, 3CPA (NF-kappaB inhibitor, GlycoGenesys) Active Biotech) G17DT immunogen (Gastrin Seocalcitol (Vitamin-D inhibitor, Aphton) receptor agonist, Leo) Efaproxiral (Oxygenator, 131-I-TM-601 (DNA Allos Therapeutics) antagonist, TransMolecular) PI-88 (Heparanase inhibitor, Eflornithin (ODC inhibitor, Progen) ILEX Oncology) Tesmilifen (Histamine Minodronic acid (Osteoclasts antagonist, YM BioSciences) inhibitor, Yamanouchi) Histamine (Histamine-H2 Indisulam (p53 stimulans, receptor agonist, Maxim) Eisai) Tiazofurin (IMPDH inhibitor, Aplidin (PPT inhibitor, Ribapharm) PharmaMar) Cilengitide (Integrine Rituximab (CD20 antibody, antagonist, Merck KGaA) Genentech) SR-31747 (IL-1 antagonist, Gemtuzumab (CD33 Sanofi-Synthelabo) antibody, Wyeth Ayerst) CCI-779 (mTOR kinase PG2 (Hematopoesis inhibitor, Wyeth) enhancer, Pharmagenesis) Exisulind (PDE-V inhibitor, Immunol ™ (Triclosan oral Cell Pathways) irrigation, Endo) CP-461 (PDE-V inhibitor, Cell Triacetyluridine (Uridine Pathways) prodrug, Wellstat) AG-2037 (GART inhibitor, SN-4071 (sarcoma agent, Pfizer) Signature BioScience) WX-UK1 (Plasminogen TransMID-107 ™ activator inhibitor, Wilex) (Immunotoxine, KS PBI-1402 (PMN stimulans, Biomedix) ProMetic LifeSciences) PCK-3145 (Apoptosis Bortezomib (Proteasome enhancer, Procyon) inhibitor, Millennium) Doranidazole (Apoptosis SRL-172 (T-cell stimulans, enhancer, Pola) SR Pharma) CHS-828 (cytotoxic agent, TLK-286 (Glutathione-S- Leo) transferase inhibitor, Telik) trans-Retinoic acid PT-100 (Growth factor (Differentiator, NIH) agonist, Point Therapeutics) MX6 (Apoptosis enhancer, Midostaurin (PKC inhibitor, MAXIA) Novartis) Apomin (Apoptosis enhancer, Bryostatin-1 (PKC stimulans, ILEX Oncology) GPC Biotech) Urocidine (Apoptosis CDA-II (Apoptosis enhancer, enhancer, Bioniche) Everlife) Ro-31-7453 (Apoptosis SDX-101 (Apoptosis enhancer, La Roche) enhancer, Salmedix) Brostallicin (Apoptosis Ceflatonin (Apoptosis enhancer, Pharmacia) enhancer, ChemGenex)

In a preferred embodiment, a compound of the invention is administered in combination with one or more known anti-tumor agents, such as the following: estrogen receptor modulators, androgen receptor modulators, retinoid receptor modulators, cytotoxics, antiproliferative agents, prenyl proteintransferase inhibitors, HMG-CoA-reductase inhibitors, HIV protease inhibitors, reverse transcriptase inhibitors, angiogenesis inhibitors. The compounds of the present inventions are particularly suitable for administration at the same time as radiotherapy.

The compounds of the invention are in particular well suited for administration in combination with radiotherapy. The synergistic effects of VEGF inhibition in combination with radiotherapy are known to the skilled artisan (WO 00/61186).

The term “estrogen receptor modulators” in the course of the present invention refers to compounds that interfere with or inhibit the binding of estrogen to estrogen receptor—independently from the mode of action. Non-limiting examples of estrogen receptor modulators are tamoxifen, raloxifen, idoxifen, LY353381, LY 117081, toremifen, fulvestrant, 4-[7-(2,2-Dimethyl-1-oxopropoxy-4-methyl-2-[4-[2-(1-piperidinyl)ethoxy]phenyl]-2H-1-benzopyran-3-yl]phenyl-2,2-dimethyl-propanoate, 4,4′-Dihydroxybenzophenon-2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone and SH646.

The term “androgen receptor modulators” in the course of the present invention refers to compounds that interfere with or inhibit the binding of androgens to androgen receptor—independently from the mode of action. Non-limiting examples of androgen receptor modulators are finasteride and other 5alpha-reductase inhibitors, nilutamide, flutamide, bicalutamide, liarozole and abirateron acetate.

The term “retinoid receptor modulators” in the course of the present invention refers to compounds that interfere with or inhibit the binding of retinoids to retinoid receptor—independently from the mode of action. Non-limiting examples of retinoid receptor modulators are bexaroten, tretinoin, 13-cis-retinoic acid, 9-cis-retinoic acid, alpha-difluoromethylornithine, ILX23-7553, trans-N-(4′-Hydroxyphenyl)retinamide and N-4-carboxyphenylretinamide.

The term “cytotoxics” in the course of the present invention refers to compounds that primarily trigger cell death through direct action on cell function(s) or which interfere with or inhibit cell myosis, such as alkylating agents, tumor necrosis factors, intercalating agents, microtubule inhibitors and topoisomerase inhibitors. Non-limiting examples of cytotoxics are tirapazimin, sertenef, cachectine, ifosfamide, tasonermine, lonidamine, carboplatin, altretamine, prednimustine, dibromodulcit, ranimustine, fotemustine, nedaplatin, oxaliplatin, temozolomide, heptaplatin, estramustin, improsulfan-tosylate, trofosfamide, nimustine, dibrospidium-chloride, pumitepa, lobaplatin, satraplatin, profiromycin, cisplatin, irofulven, dexifosfamide, cis-amindichloro(2-methylpyridine)platin, benzylguanine, glufosfamide, GPX100, (trans,trans,trans)-bis-mu-(hexane-1,6-diamine)-mu-[diamine-platin(II)]bis-[diamine(chloro)platin(II)]-tetrachloride, diarizidinylspermine, arsenium trioxide, 1-(11-Dodecylamino-10-hydroxyundecyl)-3,7-dimethylxanthine, zorubicin, idarubicin, daunorubicin, bisantren, mitoxantron, pirarubicin, pinafide, valrubicine, amrubicine, antineoplaston, 3′-desamino-3′-morpholino-13-desoxo-10-hydroxycaminomycin, annamycin, galarubicin, elinafide, MEN10755 and 4-desmethoxy-3-desamino-3-aziridinyl-4-methylsulfonyl-daunorubicin (WO 00/50032).

Non-limiting examples of microtubule inhibitors are paclitaxel, vindesine-sulfate, 3′,4′-dideshydro-4′-desoxy-8′-norvincaleukoblastine, docetaxol, rhizoxine, dolastatine, mivobuline-isethionate, auristatine, cemadotine, RPR109881, BMS184476, vinflunine, cryptophycine, 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-N-(3-fluoro-4-methoxyphenyl)-benzenesulfonamide, anhydrovinblastine, N,N-dimethyl-L-valyl-L-valyl-N-methyl-L-valyl-L-prolyl-L-proline-t-butylamide, TDX258 and BMS188797.

Non-limiting examples of topoisomerase inhibitors are topotecane, hycaptamine, irinotecane, rubitecane, 6-ethoxypropionyl-3′,4′-O-exo-benzylidene-chartreusine, 9-methoxy-N,N-dimethyl-5-nitropyrazolo[3,4,5-kl]acridine-2-(6H)propanamine, 1-amino-9-ethyl-5-fluoro-2,3-dihydro-9-hydroxy-4-methyl-1H,12H-benzo-[de]pyrano-[3′,4′:b,7]indolizino[1,2b]quiinoline-10,13(9H,15H)-dione, lurtotecane, 7-[2-(N-isopropylamino)ethyl]-(20S)camptothecine, BNP1350, BNPI1100, BN80915, BN80942, etoposide-phosphate, teniposide, sobuzoxane, 2′-dimethylamino-2′-desoxy-etoposide, GL331, N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-9-hydroxy-5,6-dimethyl-6H-pyrido[4,3-b]carbazole-1-carboxamide, asulacrine, (5a,5aB,8aa,9b)-9-[2-[N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-N-methylamino]ethyl]-5-[4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl]-5,5a,6,8,8a,9-hexohydrofuro(3′,4′:6,7)naphtho(2,3-d)-1,3-dioxol-6-one, 2,3-(methylendioxy)-5-methyl-7-hydroxy-8-methoxybenzo[c]phenanthridinium, 6,9-bis[(2-aminoethyl)amino]-benzo[g]isoquinoline-5,10-dione, 5-(3-aminopropylamino)-7,10-dihydroxy-2-(2-hydroxyethylaminomethyl)-6H-pyrazolo[4,5,1-de]-acridine-6-one, N-[1-[2(diethylamino)ethylamino]-7-methoxy-9-oxo-9H-thioxane-then-4-ylmethyl]formamide, N-(2-(dimethyl-amino)-ethyl)acridine-4-carboxamide, 6-[[2-(dimethylamino)-ethyl]amino]-3-hydroxy-7H-indeno[2,1-c]quinolin-7-one and dimesna.

Non-limiting examples of antiproliferative agents are antisense RNA- and antisense-DNA oligonucleotides, such as G3139, ODN698, RVASKRAS, GEM231 and INX3001, as well as antimetabolites such as enocitabine, carmofur, tegafur, pentostatine, doxifluridine, trimetrexate, fludarabine, capecitabine, galocitabine, cytarabin-ocfosfate, fosteabine sodiumhydrate, raltitrexed, paltitrexide, emitefur, tiazof urine, decitabine, nolatrexed, pemetrexed, nelzarabine, 2′-desoxy-2′-methylidencytidine, 2′-fluoromethylen-2′-desoxycytidine, N-[5-(2,3-dihydrobenzofuryl)sulfonyl]-N′-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea, N6-[4-desoxy-4-[N2-[2(E),4(E)-tetradecadienoyl]glycylamino]-L-glycero-B-L-manno-heptopyranosyl]adenine, aplidine, ecteinascidine, troxacitabine, 4-[2-amino-4-oxo-4,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3H-pyrimidino[5,4-b][1,4]thiazine-6-yl-(S)-ethyl]-2,5-thienoyl-L-glutaminic acid, aminopterine, 5-fluorouracil, alanosine, 11-acetyl-8-(carbamoyloxymethyl)-4-formyl-6-methoxy-14-oxa-1,11-diaza-tetracyclo-(7.4.1.0.0)-tetradeca-2,4,6-trien-9-ylacetic acid ester, swainsonine, lometrexole, dexrazoxane, methioninase, 2′-cyan-2′-desoxy-N4-palmitoyl-1-B-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine and 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-thiosemicarbazone.

“Antiproliferative agents” also comprises monoclonal antibodies against growth factors that have not been listed under “angiogenesis inhibitors”, such as trastuzumab, as well as tumor suppressor genes, such as p53.

In another aspect of the invention, a medicament according to above aspects and embodiments is provided, wherein in such medicament comprises at least one additional pharmacologically active substance (drug, ingredient).

In a preferred embodiment the at least one pharmacologically active substance is a substance as described herein.

In another aspect of the invention, a medicament according to above aspects and embodiments is provided, wherein the medicament is applied before and/or during and/or after treatment with at least one additional pharmacologically active substance.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one pharmacologically active substance is a substance as described herein.

In another aspect of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of the invention is provided.

In a preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition contains at least one additional compound selected from the group consisting of physiologically acceptable excipients, auxiliaries, adjuvants, diluents, carriers and/or additional pharmaceutically active substance other than the compounds of the invention.

In another aspect of the invention, a pharmaceutical composition is disclosed which comprises at least one compound of the invention, at least one pharmacologically active substance other than the compounds of the invention as described herein; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a process for the manufacture of said pharmaceutical compositions, characterized in that one or more compounds according to the invention and one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of solid, liquid or semiliquid excipients, auxiliaries, adjuvants, diluents, carriers and pharmaceutically active agents other than the compounds according to the invention, are converted in a suitable dosage form.

In another aspect of the invention, a kit is provided comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of the invention and/or at least one pharmaceutical composition as described herein and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one further pharmacologically active substance other than the compounds of the invention.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered by any means that achieve their intended purpose. For example, administration may be by oral, parenteral, topical, enteral, intravenous, intramuscular, inhalant, nasal, intraarticular, intraspinal, transtracheal, transocular, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, transdermal, or buccal routes. Alternatively, or concurrently, administration may be by the oral route. The dosage administered will be dependent upon the age, health, and weight of the recipient, kind of concurrent treatment, if any, frequency of treatment, and the nature of the effect desired. Parenteral administration is preferred. Oral administration is especially preferred.

Suitable dosage forms include, but are not limited to capsules, tablets, pellets, dragees, semi-solids, powders, granules, suppositories, ointments, creams, lotions, inhalants, injections, cataplasms, gels, tapes, eye drops, solution, syrups, aerosols, suspension, emulsion, which can be produced according to methods known in the art, for example as described below:

tablets: mixing of active ingredient/s and auxiliaries, compression of said mixture into tablets (direct compression), optionally granulation of part of mixture before compression.

capsules: mixing of active ingredient/s and auxiliaries to obtain a flowable powder, optionally granulating powder, filling powders/granulate into opened capsules, capping of capsules.

semi-solids (ointments, gels, creams): dissolving/dispersing active ingredient/s in an aqueous or fatty carrier; subsequent mixing of aqueous/fatty phase with complementary fatty/aqueous phase, homogenization (creams only).

suppositories (rectal and vaginal): dissolving/dispersing active ingredient/s in carrier material liquified by heat (rectal: carrier material normally a wax; vaginal: carrier normally a heated solution of a gelling agent), casting said mixture into suppository forms, annealing and withdrawal suppositories from the forms.

aerosols: dispersing/dissolving active agent/s in a propellant, bottling said mixture into an atomizer.

In general, non-chemical routes for the production of pharmaceutical compositions and/or pharmaceutical preparations comprise processing steps on suitable mechanical means known in the art that transfer one or more compounds of the invention into a dosage form suitable for administration to a patient in need of such a treatment. Usually, the transfer of one or more compounds of the invention into such a dosage form comprises the addition of one or more compounds, selected from the group consisting of carriers, excipients, auxiliaries and pharmaceutical active ingredients other than the compounds of the invention. Suitable processing steps include, but are not limited to combining, milling, mixing, granulating, dissolving, dispersing, homogenizing, casting and/or compressing the respective active and non-active ingredients. Mechanical means for performing said processing steps are known in the art, for example from Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5th Edition. In this respect, active ingredients are preferably at least one compound of the invention and one or more additional compounds other than the compounds of the invention, which show valuable pharmaceutical properties, preferably those pharmaceutical active agents other than the compounds of the invention, which are disclosed herein.

Particularly suitable for oral use are tablets, pills, coated tablets, capsules, powders, granules, syrups, juices or drops, suitable for rectal use are suppositories, suitable for parenteral use are solutions, preferably oil-based or aqueous solutions, furthermore suspensions, emulsions or implants, and suitable for topical use are ointments, creams or powders. The compounds of the invention may also be lyophilised and the resultant lyophilisates used, for example, for the preparation of injection preparations. The preparations indicated may be sterilised and/or comprise assistants, such as lubricants, preservatives, stabilisers and/or wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for modifying the osmotic pressure, buffer substances, dyes, flavours and/or a plurality of further active ingredients, for example one or more vitamins.

Suitable excipients are organic or inorganic substances, which are suitable for enteral (for example oral), parenteral or topical administration and do not react with the compounds of the invention, for example water, vegetable oils, benzyl alcohols, alkylene glycols, polyethylene glycols, glycerol triacetate, gelatine, carbohydrates, such as lactose, sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol or starch (maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch), cellulose preparations and/or calcium phosphates, for example tricalcium phosphate or calcium hydrogen phosphate, magnesium stearate, talc, gelatine, tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and/or vaseline.

If desired, disintegrating agents may be added such as the above-mentioned starches and also carboxymethyl-starch, cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate. Auxiliaries include, without limitation, flow-regulating agents and lubricants, for example, silica, talc, stearic acid or salts thereof, such as magnesium stearate or calcium stearate, and/or polyethylene glycol. Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings, which, if desired, are resistant to gastric juices. For this purpose, concentrated saccharide solutions may be used, which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. In order to produce coatings resistant to gastric juices or to provide a dosage form affording the advantage of prolonged action, the tablet, dragee or pill can comprise an inner dosage and an outer dosage component me latter being in the form of an envelope over the former. The two components can be separated by an enteric layer, which serves to resist disintegration in the stomach and permits the inner component to pass intact into the duodenum or to be delayed in release. A variety of materials can be used for such enteric layers or coatings, such materials including a number of polymeric acids and mixtures of polymeric acids with such materials as shellac, acetyl alcohol, solutions of suitable cellulose preparations such as acetyl-cellulose phthalate, cellulose acetate or hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose phthalate, are used. Dye stuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings, for example, for identification or in order to characterize combinations of active compound doses.

Suitable carrier substances are organic or inorganic substances which are suitable for enteral (e.g. oral) or parenteral administration or topical application and do not react with the novel compounds, for example water, vegetable oils, benzyl alcohols, polyethylene glycols, gelatin, carbohydrates such as lactose or starch, magnesium stearate, talc and petroleum jelly. In particular, tablets, coated tablets, capsules, syrups, suspensions, drops or suppositories are used for enteral administration, solutions, preferably oily or aqueous solutions, furthermore suspensions, emulsions or implants, are used for parenteral administration, and ointments, creams or powders are used for topical application. The compounds of the invention can also be lyophilized and the lyophilizates obtained can be used, for example, for the production of injection preparations.

The preparations indicated can be sterilized and/or can contain excipients such as lubricants, preservatives, stabilizers and/or wetting agents, emulsifiers, salts for affecting the osmotic pressure, buffer substances, colorants, flavourings and/or aromatizers. They can, if desired, also contain one or more further active compounds, e.g. one or more vitamins.

Other pharmaceutical preparations, which can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatine, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatine and a plasticizer such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules can contain the active compounds in the form of granules, which may be mixed with fillers such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds are preferably dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, or liquid paraffin. In addition, stabilizers may be added.

The liquid forms in which the novel compositions of the present invention may be incorporated for administration orally include aqueous solutions, suitably flavoured syrups, aqueous or oil suspensions, and flavoured emulsions with edible oils such as cottonseed oil, sesame oil, coconut oil or peanut oil, as well as elixirs and similar pharmaceutical vehicles. Suitable dispersing or suspending agents for aqueous suspensions include synthetic and natural gums such as tragacanth, acacia, alginate, dextran, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone or gelatine.

Suitable formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active compounds in water-soluble form, for example, water-soluble salts and alkaline solutions. In addition, suspensions of the active compounds as appropriate oily injection suspensions may be administered. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils, for example, sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, for example, ethyl oleate or triglycerides or polyethylene glycol-400 (the compounds are soluble in PEG-400).

Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances, which increase the viscosity of the suspension, including, for example, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, and/or dextran, optionally, the suspension may also contain stabilizers.

For administration as an inhalation spray, it is possible to use sprays in which the active ingredient is either dissolved or suspended in a propellant gas or propellant gas mixture (for example CO₂ or chlorofluorocarbons). The active ingredient is advantageously used here in micronized form, in which case one or more additional physiologically acceptable solvents may be present, for example ethanol. Inhalation solutions can be administered with the aid of conventional inhalers.

Possible pharmaceutical preparations, which can be used rectally include, for example, suppositories, which consist of a combination of one or more of the active compounds with a suppository base. Suitable suppository bases are, for example, natural or synthetic triglycerides, or paraffin hydrocarbons. In addition, it is also possible to use gelatine rectal capsules, which consist of a combination of the active compounds with a base. Possible base materials include, for example, liquid triglycerides, polyethylene glycols, or paraffin hydrocarbons.

For use in medicine, the compounds of the present invention will be in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Other salts may, however, be useful in the preparation of the compounds of the invention or of their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include acid addition salts which may, for example be formed by mixing a solution of the compound according to the invention with a solution of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, methanesulphonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, oxalic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, carbonic acid or phosphoric acid. Furthermore, where the compounds of the invention carry an acidic moiety, suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof may include alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium or potassium salts; alkaline earth metal salts, e.g. calcium or magnesium salts; and salts formed with suitable organic bases, e.g. quaternary ammonium salts.

The pharmaceutical preparations can be employed as medicaments in human and veterinary medicine. As used herein, the term “effective amount” means that amount of a drug or pharmaceutical agent that will elicit the biological or medical response of a tissue, system, animal or human that is being sought, for instance, by a researcher or clinician. Furthermore, the term “therapeutically effective amount” means any amount which, as compared to a corresponding subject who has not received such amount, results in improved treatment, healing, prevention, or amelioration of a disease, disorder, or side effect, or a decrease in the rate of advancement of a disease or disorder. The term also includes within its scope amounts effective to enhance normal physiological function. Said therapeutic effective amount of one or more of the compounds of the invention is known to the skilled artisan or can be easily determined by standard methods known in the art.

The compounds of the invention and the additional active substances are generally administered analogously to commercial preparations. Usually, suitable doses that are therapeutically effective lie in the range between 0.0005 mg and 1000 mg, preferably between 0.005 mg and 500 mg and especially between 0.5 mg and 100 mg per dose unit. The daily dose is preferably between about 0.001 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of body weight.

Those of skill will readily appreciate that dose levels can vary as a function of the specific compound, the severity of the symptoms and the susceptibility of the subject to side effects. Some of the specific compounds are more potent than others. Preferred dosages for a given compound are readily determinable by those of skill in the art by a variety of means. A preferred means is to measure the physiological potency of a given compound.

For the purpose of the present invention, all mammalian species are regarded as being comprised. In a preferred embodiment, such mammals are selected from the group consisting of “primate, human, rodent, equine, bovine, canine, feline, domestic animals, cattle, livestock, pets, cow, sheep, pig, goat, horse, pony, donkey, hinny, mule, hare, rabbit, cat, dog, guinea pig, hamster, rat, mouse”. More preferably, such mammals are humans. Animal models are of interest for experimental investigations, providing a model for treatment of human diseases.

The specific dose for the individual patient depends, however, on the multitude of factors, for example on the efficacy of the specific compounds employed, on the age, body weight, general state of health, the sex, the kind of diet, on the time and route of administration, on the excretion rate, the kind of administration and the dosage form to be administered, the pharmaceutical combination and severity of the particular disorder to which the therapy relates. The specific therapeutic effective dose for the individual patient can readily be determined by routine experimentation, for example by the doctor or physician, which advises or attends the therapeutic treatment.

In the case of many disorders, the susceptibility of a particular cell to treatment with the subject compounds may be determined by in vitro testing. Typically a culture of the cell is combined with a subject compound at varying concentrations for a period of time sufficient to allow the active agents to show a relevant reaction, usually between about one hour and one week. For in vitro testing, cultured cells from a biopsy sample may be used.

Even without further details, it is assumed that a person skilled in the art will be able to utilise the above description in the broadest scope. The preferred embodiments should therefore merely be regarded as descriptive disclosure, which is absolutely not limiting in any way.

Above and below, all temperatures are indicated in ° C. In the following examples, “conventional work-up” means that, if necessary, the solvent is removed, water is added if necessary, the pH is adjusted, if necessary, to between 2 and 10, depending on the constitution of the end product, the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate or dichloromethane, the phases are separated, the organic phase is washed with saturated NaHCO₃ solution, if desired with water and saturated NaCl solution, is dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated, and the product is purified by chromatography on silica gel, by preparative HPLC and/or by crystallisation. The purified compounds are, if desired, freeze-dried.

Retention time R_(t) [min] determination was carried out by HPLC:

Column: Chromolith SpeedROD RP-18e, 50×4.6 mm²

Gradient: A:B=96:4 to 0:100

Flow rate: 2.4 ml/min

Eluent A: water+0.05% formic acid

Eluent B: acetonitrile+0.04% formic acid

Wavelength: 220 nm

Mass spectrometry (MS): ESI (electrospray ionisation) (M+H)⁺

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms:

AcOH acetic acid, anh anhydrous, atm atmosphere(s), BOC tert-butoxycarbonyl CDI 1,1′-carbonyl diimidazole, conc concentrated, d day(s), dec decomposition, DIAD diisopropyl azodicarboxylate, DMAC N,N-dimethylacetamide, DMPU 1,3-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2(IH)-pyrimidinone, DMF N,N-dimethylformamide, DMSO dimethylsulfoxide, DPPA diphenylphosphoryl azide, EDCl 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide, EtOAc ethyl acetate, EtOH ethanol (100%), Et₂O diethyl ether, Et₃N triethylamine, h hour(s), MeOH methanol, pet. ether petroleum ether (boiling range 30-60° C.), PPh₃ triphenylphospine, temp. temperature, THF tetrahydrofuran, TFA trifluoroAcOH, Tf trifluoromethanesulfonyl.

The contents of all cited references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The invention is explained in more detail by means of the following examples without, however, being restricted thereto.

EXAMPLES I. Synthesis of Selected Compounds of the Invention

The following compounds were synthesized and characterized. However, it lies in the knowledge of a person skilled in the art to prepare and characterize these compounds differently.

I.1 Synthesis of Pyridine Intermediates Example 1 Synthesis of 2-(5-Chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridine-4-boronic acid

-   1. A solution of 2.96 g (20.0 mmol) 2,4-dichloropyridine, 3.49 g     (20.0 mmol) 5-chloro-2-fluorobenzeneboronic acid and 2.02 g (20.0     mmol) sodium bicarbonate in 40 ml DMF and 20 ml water is heated to     80° C. under nitrogen. 281 mg (0.40 mmol)     bis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)-chloride are added and the     mixture is stirred for 16 hrs at 80° C. Water is added to the     reaction mixture and the resulting precipitate is filtered off and     washed well with water. The residue is dried under vacuum to yield     4-chloro-2-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridine as pink solid;     HPLC-MS: 2.75 min, [M+H] 242. -   2. 4.68 g (19.3 mmol) 4-chloro-2-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridine     are dissolved in 60 ml THF and 10 ml of a 4 N solution of     hydrochloric acid in dioxane are added. The solution is evaporated     and the residue dried under vacuum. A slurry of this solid in 200 ml     acetonitrile is treated with 29.0 g (193 mmol) sodium iodide and     heated to 80° C. under stirring. After 24 h the reaction mixture is     cooled to room temperature and 60 ml of an aqueous solution     containing 10% potassium carbonate and 5% sodium hydrogen sulfite     are added. The mixture is extracted several times with     dichloromethane. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium     sulfate and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed on a silica     gel column with petrolether/ethylacetate as eluent yielding     2-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-4-iodo-pyridine as colourless crystals;     HPLC-MS: 2.83 min, [M+H] 334.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ=8.43 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.21 (s, 1H), 7.91 (m, 2H), 7.59 (ddd, J=8.8, 4.2, 2.8, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J=10.8, 8.8, 1H).

-   3. A slurry of 2.00 g (6.00 mmol)     2-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-4-iodo-pyridine, 1.98 g (7.8 mmol)     bis-pinacolato-diboron and 1.77 g (18.0 mmol) potassium acetate in     20 ml THF is heated to 80° C. under nitrogen. Then 840 mg (0.12     mmol) bis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)-chloride are added and     the reaction mixture is stirred for 24 hours at 80° C. The mixture     is cooled to room temperature and partitioned between saturated     sodium chloride solution and THF. The combined organic phases are     dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated yielding crude     2-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-pyridine     as brown oil. This oil is dissolved in 20 ml THF. 3 ml 25% aqueous     hydrochloric acid are added and the mixture is stirred for 5 h at     room temperature. The resulting precipitate is filtered off, washed     with water and THF and dried under vacuum yielding     2-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridine-4-boronic acid as grey solid;     HPLC-MS: 2.30 min, [M+H] 259

Example 2 Synthesis of 5-bromo-2′-chloro-[3,4′]bipyridinyl

A solution of 9.63 g (33.9 mmol) 3-bromo-5-iodopyridine, 4.85 g (30.8 mmol) 2-chloro-pyridine-4-boronic acid and 3.11 g (37.0 mmol) sodium bicarbonate in 120 ml DMF and 30 ml water is heated to 80° C. under nitrogen. 433 mg (0.616 mmol) bis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)-chloride are added and the mixture is stirred for 4 hrs at 80° C. Water is added to the reaction mixture and the resulting precipitate is filtered off and washed well with water. The residue is dried under vacuum and recrystallized from 2-propanol yielding 5-bromo-2′-chloro-[3,4′]bipyridinyl as brown crystals; HPLC-MS: 2.16 min, [M+H] 271.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ=9.06 (d, J=2.0, 1H), 8.83 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.60 (t, J=2.1, 1H), 8.53 (d, J=5.2, 1H), 8.04 (d, J=1.6, 1H), 7.89 (dd, J=5.2, 1.6, 1H).

I.2 Synthesis of Final Compounds Example 3 Synthesis of 2′-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-(1-piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl and 2′-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl

-   1. A slurry of 2.50 g (8.81 mmol) 3-bromo-5-iodo-pyridine, 3.66 g     (9.7 mmol)     4-[4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-piperidin-1-carboxylic     acid tert.butyl ester (synthesis described in WO 2007/066187) and     3.74 g (17.6 mmol) tri-potassium-phosphate-trihydrate in 30 ml     1,2-dimethoxyethane is heated to 80° C. under nitrogen. Then 618 mg     (0.88 mmol) bis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)-chloride are     added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 16 hours at 80° C. The     reaction mixture is partitioned between THF and brine. The organic     phase is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated yielding     4-[4-(5-bromo-pyridin-3-yl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl-ester as slightly yellow crystals; HPLC-MS: 2.28     min, [M+H] 407/409. -   2. A slurry of 367 mg (0.90 mmol)     4-[4-(5-bromo-pyridin-3-yl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl-ester, 249 mg (0.99 mmol)     2-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridine-4-boronic acid and 90.7 mg     1.08 mmol) sodium bicarbonate in 2 ml DMF and 1 ml water is heated     to 80° C. under nitrogen. Then 12.6 mg (0.018 mmol)     bis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)-chloride are added. The     reaction mixture is stirred for 18 hours at 80° C. The reaction     mixture is partitioned between water and dichloromethane. The     organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The     residue is chromatographed on a silica gel column with     dichloromethane/methanol as eluent yielding     4-{4-[2′-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl ester as yellow oil; HPLC-MS: 2.73 min, [M+H] 534. -   3. A slurry of 389 mg (0.729 mmol)     4-{4-[2′-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl ester in 1 ml 4 N HCl in dioxane is treated with 1     drop of methanol. The solution thus formed is left for 3 hours at     room temperature. The precipitate that has formed is filtered off,     washed with dioxane and tert.butyl-methyl-ether and dried under     vacuum yielding     2′-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-(1-piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-[3,4]bipyridinyl     dihydrochloride as colourless crystals; HPLC-MS: 1.74 min, [M+H]     434.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ=9.25 (d, J=10.1, 1H), 9.18 (d, J=1.7, 1H), 9.09 (m, 2H), 8.91 (d, J=5.2, 1H), 8.88 (s, 1H), 8.68 (s, 1H), 8.32 (s, 2H), 8.03 (dd, J=5.2, 1.6, 1H), 8.00 (dd, J=6.6, 2.7, 1H), 7.62 (ddd, J=8.7, 4.0, 2.9, 1H), 7.48 (dd, J=10.4, 8.9, 1H), 4.57 (ddd, J=14.8, 10.7, 4.1, 1H), 3.40 (d, J=12.9, 2H), 3.11 (q, J=12.2, 2H), 2.22 (m, 4H).

-   4. A slurry of 210 mg (0.414 mmol)     2′-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-(1-piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl     dihydrochloride in 1 ml water is treated under vigorous stirring     with aqueous 2 N sodium hydroxide solution until a pH value of 14 is     reached. The mixture is partitioned between water and     dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and     evaporated yielding crude     2′-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-(1-piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl     as colourless solid. This solid is dissolved in 2 ml formic acid and     treated with 55 mg (0.69 mmol) 35% aqueous formaldehyde solution.     The reaction mixture is stirred at 80° C. for 2 hours. The volume of     the reaction mixture is reduced under vacuum. The residue is made     strongly alkaline with aqueous 2 N NaOH and subsequently partitioned     between water and dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over     sodium sulfate and evaporated yielding     2′-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl     as colourless crystals. HPLC/MS: 1.72 min, [M+H] 533.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ=8.97 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.87 (d, J=2.2, 1H), 8.85 (d, J=5.2, 1H), 8.52 (s, 1H), 8.45 (t, J=2.1, 1H), 8.21 (s, 1H), 8.14 (s, 1H), 7.99 (dd, J=6.7, 2.8, 1H), 7.92 (dd, J=5.2, 1.7, 1H), 7.60 (ddd, J=8.8, 4.2, 2.8, 1H), 7.46 (dd, J=10.5, 8.8, 1H), 4.15 (m, 1H), 2.88 (d, J=11.4, 2H), 2.22 (s, 3H), 2.01 (m, 6H).

Example 4 Synthesis of 2′-(2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-5-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl

-   1. A slurry of 760 mg (2.82 mmol)     5-bromo-2′-chloro-[3,4′]bipyridinyl, 1.17 g (3.10 mmol)     4-[4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-piperidin-1-carboxylic     acid tert.butyl ester and 2.00 g (5.64 mmol)     tri-potassium-phosphate-trihydrate in 12 ml 1,2-dimethoxyethane is     heated to 80° C. under nitrogen. Then 100 mg (0.14 mmol)     bis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)-chloride and a drop of     triethylamine are added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 2 hours     at 80° C. The reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and     partitioned between water and dichloromethane. The organic phase is     dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated. The residue is     chromatographed on a silica gel column with dichloromethane/methanol     as eluent yielding     4-[4-(2′-chloro-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl ester as slightly yellow crystals; HPLC-MS: 2.34     min, [M+H] 440. -   2. A solution of 513 mg (1.17 mmol)     4-[4-(2′-chloro-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl ester, 221 mg (1.40 mmol) 2,5-difluorobenzeneboronic     acid and 147 mg (1.75 mmol) sodium bicarbonate in 3 ml DMF and 1.5     ml water is heated to 80° C. under nitrogen. Then 16.4 mg (0.023     mmol) bis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)-chloride are added. The     reaction mixture is stirred for 18 hours at 80° C. The reaction     mixture is cooled to room temperature and partitioned between water     and dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate     and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed on a silica gel     column with dichloromethane/methanol as eluent yielding     4-{4-[2′-(2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl ester as dark oil; HPLC-MS: 2.63 min, [M+H] 518. -   3. A solution of 439 g (0.85 mmol)     4-{4-[2′-(2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-piperidine-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl ester in 2.8 ml formic acid is treated with 202 μl     (2.55 mmol) 35% aqueous formaldehyde solution. The reaction mixture     is stirred at 80° C. for 18 hours. The volume of the reaction     mixture is reduced under vacuum. The residue is made strongly     alkaline with aqueous 2 N NaOH and subsequently partitioned between     water and dichloromethane. The organic phase is dried over sodium     sulfate and evaporated. The residue is dissolved in 7.4 ml of a 0.1     M solution of hydrochloric acid in isopropanol under gentle heating.     The solution is cooled to room temperature and tert.butyl     methylether is added. The precipitate thus formed is filtered off,     washed with tert.butyl methylether and dried under vacuum yielding     2′-(2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-5-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-[3,4]bipyridinyl     hydrochloride as colourless crystals. HPLC/MS: 1.61 min, [M+H] 432.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ=10.04 (s, 1H), 9.00 (d, J=1.7, 1H), 8.89 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.86 (d, J=5.2, 1H), 8.53 (s, 1H), 8.47 (t, J=2.1, 1H), 8.22 (m, 2H), 7.92 (dd, J=5.2, 1.7, 1H), 7.78 (ddd, J=9.2, 6.0, 3.2, 1H), 7.43 (m, 2H), 4.49 (m, 1H), 3.57 (d, J=11.8, 2H), 3.18 (m, 2H), 2.81 (s, 3H), 2.28 (m, 4H).

Using the procedures of example 4 the following compounds were prepared analogously:

2′-(2-Fluoro-5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-5-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-[3,4]bipyridinyl; HPLC/MS: 1.76 min, [M+H] 482.

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5-(1-piperidin-4-yl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl; HPLC/MS: 1.54 min, [M+H] 400.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.34 (d, J=1.8, 1H), 9.33 (d, J=1.6, 1H), 9.23 (t, 1H), 9.08 (d, J=5.6, 1H), 8.74 (s, 1H), 8.55 (s, 1H), 8.40 (s, 1H), 8.34-8.23 (m, 1H), 7.99 (td, J=7.5, 1.9, 1H), 7.71-7.60 (m, 1H), 7.51-7.41 (m, 2H), 4.63 (tt, J=10.8, 4.0, 1H), 3.48 (dt, J=13.1, 3.5, 3.1, 2H), 3.18 (td, J=12.6, 3.1, 2H), 2.44-2.11 (m, 4H).

2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-5-[1-(1-methyl-piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl; HPLC/MS: 1.49 min, [M+H] 414

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.40-9.23 (m, 3H), 9.10 (d, J=6.0, 1H), 8.70 (s, 1H), 8.63 (s, 1H), 8.45 (dd, J=5.9, 1.8, 1H), 8.31 (s, 1H), 7.90 (td, J=7.7, 1.7, 1H), 7.63 (tdd, J=8.2, 5.2, 1.7, 1H), 7.46-7.34 (m, 2H), 4.68-4.45 (m, 1H), 3.58 (d, J=12.3, 2H), 3.20 (td, J=12.6, 3.4, 2H), 2.81 (s, 3H), 2.26 (dt, J=12.6, 7.1, 4H).

Example 5 Synthesis of 2-{4-[2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-ethanol

-   1. 1.0 g of 5-bromo-2′-chloro-[3,4′]bipyridinyl (example2) and 1.58     g of     1-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethyl]-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole     (prepared according to WO 2009/091374) are added to 15 ml of     1,2-dimethoxyethane. 1.52 g of tri-potassium-phosphate-trihydrate is     added and the mixture is heated to 80° C. under nitrogen. Then 125     mg bis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)-chloride and a drop of     triethylamine are added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 3 hours     at 80° C.     -   For workup, the solvent is evaporated and the resulting mixture         is partitioned between water and dichloromethane. The organic         phase is separated and dried. The product is purified by         chromatography to give 850 mg of         2′-chloro-5-{1-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethyl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}-[3,4′]bipyridinyl         as a viscous oil.

HPLC-MS: 2.05 min, [M+H] 385

-   2. 250 mg of the above prepared compound, 111 mg of     2-fluoro-phenylboronic acid and 81 mg of sodium bicarbonate are     added to 4 ml dimethylformamide and 2 ml of water. The mixture is     heated to 80° C. Now, 9.1 mg of     bis(triphenylphosphin)-palladium(II)-chloride is added to the     reaction. The reaction mixture is stirred for 2 h. After cooling the     solvents are evaporated and the residue partitioned between     dichloromethane and water. The organic phase is dried and after     evaporation chromatography using ethyl acetate and methanol yields     248 mg of     2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-{1-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethyl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}-[3,4′]bipyridinyl.

HPLC-MS: 2.24 min, [M+H] 445

-   3. 198 mg of the above prepared product is dissolved in 4 ml of     dichloromethane. 450 μl of HCl/dioxane (ca 4 mol/l) is added. The     mixture is stirred for 1 h. The resulting precipitation is filtered     off and washed with dichloromethane. 156 mg of     2-{4-[2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-ethanol     is obtained.

HPLC-MS: 1.74 min, [M+H] 361

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.95 (d, J=2.0, 1H), 8.85 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.83 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.43 (t, J=2.1, 1H), 8.41 (s, 1H), 8.17 (s, 1H), 8.13 (s, 1H), 8.00-7.92 (m, 1H), 7.87 (dd, J=5.2, 1.7, 1H), 7.58-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.33 (m, 2H), 4.94 (s, 1H), 4.19 (t, J=5.6, 2H), 3.79 (t, J=5.6, 2H).

-   -   Using the same procedures and 5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenylboronic         acid we obtain         2-{4-[2′-(5-chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-ethanol

HPLC-MS: 2.02 min, [M+H] 395

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.95 (d, J=2.0, 1H), 8.87 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.84 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.43 (t, J=2.1, 1H), 8.41 (s, 1H), 8.21 (s, 1H), 8.13 (s, 1H), 7.99 (dd, J=6.6, 2.7, 1H), 7.92 (dd, J=5.1, 1.6, 1H), 7.64-7.55 (m, 1H), 7.46 (dd, J=10.5, 8.9, 1H), 4.95 (s, 1H), 4.19 (t, J=5.6, 2H), 3.79 (t, J=5.6, 2H).

-   -   Using the same procedures and 2,5-difluoro-phenylboronic acid we         obtain         2-{4-[2′-(2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-ethanol

HPLC-MS: 1.88 min, [M+H] 379

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.95 (d, J=2.0, 1H), 8.86 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.84 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.43 (t, J=2.1, 1H), 8.41 (s, 1H), 8.21 (s, 1H), 8.13 (s, 1H), 7.91 (dd, J=5.1, 1.6, 1H), 7.82-7.73 (m, 1H), 7.50-7.41 (m, 1H), 7.41-7.33 (m, 1H), 4.96 (s, OH), 4.19 (t, J=5.6, 2H), 3.79 (t, J=5.6, 2H).

-   -   Using the same procedures and         5-trifluoromethyl-2-fluoro-phenylboronic acid we obtain         2-{4-[2′-(2-fluoro-5-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-ethanol

HPLC-MS: 2.11 min, [M+H] 429

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.96 (d, J=2.0, 1H), 8.90-8.85 (m, 1H), 8.45 (t, J=2.1, 1H), 8.42 (s, 1H), 8.31 (dd, J=6.8, 2.0, 1H), 8.28 (s, 1H), 8.13 (s, 1H), 7.99-7.89 (m, 2H), 7.66 (t, J=9.8, 1H), 4.95 (t, J=5.3, 1H), 4.19 (t, J=5.6, 2H), 3.78 (q, J=5.5, 2H).

-   -   Using         1-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-propyl]-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole         and 2-fluoro-phenylboronic acid we obtain         3-{4-[2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-propan-1-ol

HPLC-MS: 1.80 min, [M+H] 375

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.94 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.85 (d, J=2.2, 1H), 8.83 (dd, J=5.2, 0.6, 1H), 8.45-8.39 (m, 2H), 8.16 (s, 1H), 8.12 (d, J=0.6, 1H), 8.01-7.92 (m, 2H), 7.87 (dd, J=5.2, 1.7, 1H), 7.59-7.48 (m, 1H), 7.42-7.31 (m, 2H), 4.58 (t, J=5.0, 1H), 4.21 (t, J=7.1, 3H), 3.43 (M, J=11.3, 6.0, 3H), 2.05-1.88 (m, 3H).

Example 6 Synthesis of (3-{4-[2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-propyl)-dimethyl-amine

-   -   Dimethyl-{3-[4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-propyl}-amine         is synthesized according to Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry         Letters 18 (2008) 5299-5302.     -   Using the methods of the above mentioned examples the following         compounds are obtained:     -   (3-{4-[2′-(5-Chloro-2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-propyl)-dimethyl-amine

HPLC-MS: 1.63 min, [M+H] 436

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.98 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.90 (d, J=2.2, 1H), 8.86 (dd, J=5.2, 0.6, 1H), 8.49-8.42 (m, 2H), 8.25-8.18 (m, 2H), 7.99 (dd, 1H), 7.92 (dd, 1H), 7.61 (m, 1H), 7.47 (dd, 1), 4.26 (t, J=6.7, 2H), 3.20-3.01 (m, 2H), 2.79 (s, 3H), 2.78 (s, 3H), 2.31-1.99 (m, 2H).

-   -   (3-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-propyl)-dimethyl-amine

HPLC-MS: 1.46 min, [M+H] 402

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.18 (d, J=1.9, 1H), 9.13 (d, J=2.0, 1H), 8.94 (d, J=5.2, 1H), 8.91 (t, 1H), 8.67 (s, 1H), 8.34 (s, 1H), 8.30 (s, 1H), 8.07 (dd, J=5.3, 1.7, 1H), 7.97 (td, J=7.7, 1.6, 1H), 7.65-7.54 (m, 1H), 7.53-7.38 (m, 2H), 4.31 (t, J=6.8, 2H), 3.18-3.00 (m, 2H), 2.75 (s, 3H), 2.74 (s, 3H), 2.37-2.19 (m, 2H).

-   -   (3-{4-[2′-(2,5-Difluoro-phenyl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}-propyl)-dimethyl-amine

HPLC-MS: 1.54 min, [M+H] 420

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.95 (d, 1H), 8.86 (d, J=2.1, 2H), 8.84 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.43 (s, 2H), 8.21 (s, 1H), 8.13 (s, 1H), 7.91 (dd, J=5.1, 1.6, 1H), 7.82-7.73 (m, 1H), 7.51-7.43 (m, 1H), 7.43-7.35 (m, 1H), 4.17 (t, J=7.0, 3H), 2.20 (t, J=6.9, 3H), 2.13 (s, 6H), 1.95 (m, 3H).

Example 7 Synthesis of 2″-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-6-piperazin-1-yl-[3,3′;5′,4″]terpyridine and 2″-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-[3,3′;5′,4″]terpyridine

-   -   Using the same procedures as described in the above examples and         4-[5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-piperazine-1-carboxylic         acid tert-butyl ester the following compounds are obtained:     -   2″-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-6-piperazin-1-yl-[3,3′;5′,4″]terpyridine

HPLC-MS: 1.56 min, [M+H] 412

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.11 (t, J=1.7, 2H), 8.89 (dd, J=5.2, 0.6, 1H), 8.75 (d, J=2.3, 1H), 8.73 (t, J=1.9, 1H), 8.31 (s, 1H), 8.25 (dd, J=9.0, 2.6, 1H), 8.02 (dd, J=5.3, 1.7, 1H), 7.96 (td, J=7.9, 1.9, 1H), 7.68-7.51 (m, 1H), 7.44-7.34 (m, 2H), 7.13 (d, J=9.0, 1H), 3.94-3.81 (m, 4H), 3.35-3.07 (m, 4H).

-   -   2″-(2-Fluoro-phenyl)-6-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-[3,3′;5′,4″]terpyridine

HPLC-MS: 1.54 min, [M+H] 426

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.97 (d, J=2.2, 1H), 8.96 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.83 (dd, J=5.2, 0.6, 1H), 8.65 (d, J=2.4, 1H), 8.46 (t, J=2.2, 1H), 8.21 (s, 1H), 8.08 (dd, J=8.9, 2.6, 1H), 7.95 (td, J=8.0, 1.9, 1H), 7.90 (dd, J=5.2, 1.7, 1H), 7.58-7.48 (m, 1H), 7.42-7.32 (m, 2H), 6.97 (d, J=9.0, 1H), 3.59 (m, 4H), 2.45 (m, 4H), 2.26 (s, 3H).

Example 8 Synthesis of 2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-{1-[3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}-[3,4′]bipyridinyl

-   -   Using the methods and procedures of example 1         2-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridine-4-boronic acid is prepared;         HPLC-MS: 0.96 min, [M+H] 218

-   1. 5 g of 3-bromo-5-iodopyridine and 5.4 g of     4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-pyrazole-1-carboxylic     acid tert-butyl ester is added to 1.78 g of sodium bicarbonate in     300 ml of DMF and 150 ml of water. The mixture is heated under     nitrogen to 80° C. and then 1.11 g of     bis(triphenylphosphin)-palladium(II)-chloride is added. The mixture     is stirred over night. After cooling the reaction mixture is     evaporated. The residue is partitioned between ethyl acetate and     water. The organic phase is dried, filtrated and evaporated. The     product is purified by chromatography. 2.55 g of     3-bromo-5-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-pyridine is obtained;

HPLC-MS: 1.63 min, [M+H] 226

-   2. 500 mg of 3-bromo-5-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-pyridine, 850 mg of     3-(N-methylpiperazin)-propan-1-ol and 1.69 g of triphenylphosphine     are dissolved in dimethylformamide. 1.28 ml of     diisopropylazodicarboxylate is added to the reaction. The mixture is     stirred over night at room temperature. For workup the mixture is     evaporated and dichloromethane is added. The organic phase is washed     with diluted HCl. The acidic aqueous phase is neutralized and     extracted with dichloromethane. After drying, filtration and     evaporation the product is purified by chromatography in ethyl     acetate and methanol. 472 mg of     1-{3-[4-(5-bromo-pyridin-3-yl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-propyl}-4-methyl-piperazine     are obtained;

HPLC-MS: 1.23 min, [M+H] 366

-   3. 240 mg of     1-{3-[4-(5-bromo-pyridin-3-yl)-pyrazol-1-yl]-propyl}-4-methyl-piperazine     and 462 mg of 2-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridine-4-boronic acid are used     in the same procedure as described in example 3. After purification     43 mg of     2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-{1-[3-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propyl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}-[3,4′]bipyridinyl     are obtained.

HPLC-MS: 1.49 min, [M+H] 457

-   -   Using the same procedures and 3-morpholin-4-yl-propan-1-ol         instead of 3-(N-methylpiperazin)-propan-1-ol         2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-[1-(3-morpholin-4-yl-propyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl         is obtained.

HPLC-MS: 1.50 min, [M+H] 444

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ 8.97 (d, J=1.9, 1H), 8.88 (s, 1H), 8.84 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.48 (s, 1H), 8.44 (t, J=2.1, 1H), 8.21 (s, 1H), 8.17 (s, 1H), 7.96 (td, J=7.8, 1.7, 1H), 7.88 (dd, J=5.2, 1.7, 1H), 7.58-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.43-7.34 (m, 2H), 4.27 (s, 2H), 3.97 (d, J=11.4, 2H), 3.71-3.55 (m, 2H), 3.45 (m, 2H), 3.21-2.96 (m, 2H), 2.27 (m, 2H), 1.43-1.05 (m, 2H).

Example 9 Synthesis of 2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-quinolin-3-yl-[3,4′]bipyridinyl

-   1. 500 mg of 5-bromo-2′-chloro-[3,4′]bipyridinyl, 350 mg of     3-quinoline boronic acid and 758 mg of     tri-potassium-phosphate-trihydrate are added to 8 ml of     1,2-dimethoxyethane. The mixture is stirred under nitrogen and     heated to 80° C. Now 63 mg of     bis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)-chloride and 25 μA     triethylamine are added. The mixture is stirred for 3 h. The solvent     is evaporated and the residue is partitioned between dichloromethane     and water. The organic phases are dried, filtered and evaporated.     The product is purified by chromatography in ethyl acetate and     methanol. 117 mg of 2′-chloro-5-quinolin-3-yl-[3,4′]bipyridinyl are     obtained.

HPLC-MS [M+H] 318

-   2. 117 mg of 2′-chloro-5-quinolin-3-yl-[3,4′]bipyridinyl, 56 mg of     2-fluorophenylboronic acid and 41 mg of sodium bicarbonate are added     to 6 ml of dimethylformamide and 3 ml of water. The mixture is     heated to 80° C. under nitrogen. Now, 4.6 mg     bis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)-chloride is added. The     mixture is stirred for 3 h. For workup the reaction mixture is     evaporated and the residue is partitioned between dichloromethane     and water. After drying, filtration and evaporation, the product is     purified by chromatography using ethyl acetate and methanol. 78 mg     of 2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-quinolin-3-yl-[3,4′]bipyridinyl are     obtained.

HPLC-MS: 1.50 min, [M+H] 444

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.46 (d, J=2.3, 1H), 9.24 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 9.15 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.93 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.87 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.78 (t, J=2.1, 1H), 8.29 (s, 1H), 8.10 (t, J=8.5, 2H), 8.02-7.91 (m, 2H), 7.87-7.79 (m, 1H), 7.74-7.66 (m, 1H), 7.59-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.43-7.34 (m, 2H).

Example 10 Synthesis of 2-(4-{6-[2-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridin-4-yl]-pyrazin-2-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-ethanol

-   1. 5.0 g of 2-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-4-pyridine boronic acid, 3.6 g of     2,6-dichloropyrazine and 1.6 g of sodium bicarbonate are suspended     in 80 ml of dimethylformamide and 20 ml of water. The mixture is     heated to 80° C. and 226 mg of     bis-(triphenylphosphine)-palladium(II)-chloride is added. After 7 h     at 80° C. the mixture is cooled to room temperature and poured on     ice. The mixture is extracted with dichloromethane. The organic     phase is dried, filtrated and evaporated. The product is purified by     chromatography using petrol ether and ethyl acetate. 1.09 g of     2-chloro-6-[2-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridin-4-yl]-pyrazine is obtained.

HPLC-MS [M+H] 286

-   2. 500 mg of the above prepared     2-chloro-6-[2-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridin-4-yl]-pyrazine, 775 mg of     1-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethyl]-4-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-[1,3,2]dioxaborolan-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole     (prepared according to WO 2009/091374) and 932 mg     tri-potassium-phosphate-trihydrate are suspended in 10 ml     1,2-dimethoxyethane and heated to 80° C. under nitrogen. After 1 h     the reaction mixture is cooled and evaporated. The residue is     partitioned between dichloromethane and water. After drying,     filtration and evaporation the product is purified by     chromatography. 680 mg of     2-[2-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridin-4-yl]-6-{1-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethyl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}-pyrazine     are obtained.

HPLC-MS [M+H] 446

3. 680 mg of the above prepared 2-[2-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridin-4-yl]-6-{1-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethyl]-1H-pyrazol-4-yl}-pyrazine are dissolved in 12 ml dioxane. 1.1 l of HCl in dioxane (4 mol/l) is added. The product precipitates from the solution and is filtered. 147 mg of 2-(4-{6-[2-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridin-4-yl]-pyrazin-2-yl}-pyrazol-1-yl)-ethanol are obtained.

HPLC-MS [M+H] 362

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ=9.20 (s, 1H), 9.09 (s, 1H), 8.90 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.55 (d, J=8.2, 2H), 8.26 (s, 1H), 8.20 (dd, J=5.1, 1.6, 1H), 7.99 (td, J=7.9, 1.6, 1H), 7.55 (m, 1H), 7.44-7.35 (m, 2H), 4.98 (s, 1H, OH), 4.24 (t, J=5.5, 2H), 3.80 (t, J=5.4, 2H).

Example 11 Synthesis of 2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-pyrazol-1-yl-[3,4′]bipyridinyl

-   -   The title compound was obtained using the methods in example 1,         step 1.

HPLC-MS: 2.19 min, [M+H] 317.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ=9.24 (d, J=2.4, 1H), 9.01 (d, J=1.9, 1H), 8.86 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.77 (d, J=2.5, 1H), 8.66 (t, J=2.2, 1H), 8.22 (s, OH), 7.99-7.91 (m, 2H), 7.88 (d, J=1.6, 1H), 7.57-7.51 (m, 1H), 7.42-7.36 (m, 2H), 6.69-6.64 (m, 1H).

Example 12 Synthesis of 2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-(2-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-5-yl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl

Step 1:

-   -   250 mg of 5-bromo-2-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine         was dissolved in 2 ml of dioxane under nitrogen and 360 mg of         KOAc, 328 mg of bis(pinacolato)diboron, 15 mg of         1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene and 23 mg of         (1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene)-palladium(II) chloride,         dichloromethane adduct were added. The mixture was stirred 1 h30         at 140° C. under microwave.     -   288 mg of 5-bromo-2′-chloro-[3,4′]bipyridinyl (see example 2)         and 20 mg of dichlorobis(tricyclohexylphosphine)palladium (II)         diluted in 1.6 ml of dioxane and a solution of Na₂CO₃ (3N) were         added to the mixture and the reaction mixture was stirred 3 h at         140° C. in a microwave.     -   The product was extracted with dichloromethane, dried over         anhydrous Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated under vacuum to         obtain a black-red oil.     -   The crude product was purified by flash chromatography         (AcOEt/petrol ether: 60/40) to give 200 mg of         2′-Chloro-5-(2-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-5-yl)-[3,4]bipyridinyl

HPLC-MS: 2.24 min, [M+H] 375.

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO) δ 9.10 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 9.08 (d, J=2.2, 1H), 8.97 (d, J=2.2, 1H), 8.66 (d, J=2.2, 1H), 8.65 (t, J=2.2, 1H), 8.55 (dd, J=0.47, 5.22, 1H), 8.18 (d, J=1.0, 1H), 8.01 (dd, J=5.2, 1.6, 1H), 7.14 (s, 1H).

Step 2:

-   -   200 mg of         2′-chloro-5-(2-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-5-yl)-[3,4]bipyridinyl         and 149 mg of 2-fluoro-phenylboronic acid were dissolved in DMF         under nitrogen and 112 mg NaHCO₃ and 1.5 ml of water were added.         The mixture was heated at 80° C. Then, 7.5 mg of         bis(triphenylphosphin)-palladium(II)-chlorid was added and the         mixture was stirred at 80° C. overnight.     -   The mixture was cooled to room temperature, concentrated and         extracted with CH₂Cl₂. Organic layers were dried over Na₂SO₄ and         concentrated to obtain a orange solid. The solid was treated         with methanol and acetonitrile to give 95 mg of the desired         final product.

HPLC-MS: 2.43 min, [M+H] 435.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ 13.12 (s, 1H), 9.09 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 9.08 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.96 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.85 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.65 (d, J=2.1, 1H), 8.63 (t, J=2.1, 1H), 8.27 (s, 1H), 7.95 (m, J=5.1, 1.7, 2H), 7.53 (m, 1H), 7.38 (m, 2H), 7.14 (s, 1H).

Example 13 Synthesis of (2-ethoxy-pyridin-4-yl)-[2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-amine, [2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-amine and (5-ethoxymethyl-2-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-[2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-amine

-   -   Using         (2′-chloro-[3,4]bipyridinyl-5-yl)-(2-ethoxy-pyridin-4-yl)-amine         and 2-fluoro-phenylboronic acid and the methods described in the         synthesis of         2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-(2-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-5-yl)-[3,4]bipyridinyl,         step 2 (see above) the title compound         (2-ethoxy-pyridin-4-yl)-[2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-amine         was obtained.

HPLC-MS: 1.57 min, [M+H] 387.

-   -   Using         (2′-chloro-[3,4]bipyridinyl-5-yl)-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-amine         and 2-fluoro-phenylboronic acid and the methods described in the         synthesis of         2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-(2-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-5-yl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl,         step 2 (see above) the title compound         [2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)-amine         was obtained.

HPLC-MS: 1.93 min, [M+H] 373.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ=8.78 (d, J=5.1, 1H), 8.39 (d, J=1.9, 1H), 8.37 (s, 1H), 8.31 (d, J=2.6, 1H), 8.09 (d, J=2.8, 1H), 8.00 (s, 1H), 7.96 (td, J=7.9, 1.7, 1H), 7.70 (dd, J=5.1, 1.7, 1H), 7.66 (dd, J=8.8, 2.9, 1H), 7.56 (t, J=2.3, 1H), 7.55-7.48 (m, 1H), 7.40-7.32 (m, 2H), 6.83 (d, J=8.8, 1H), 3.84 (s, 3H).

-   -   Using         (2′-chloro-[3,4]bipyridinyl-5-yl)-(5-ethoxymethyl-2-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-amine         and 2-fluoro-phenylboronic acid and the methods described in the         synthesis of         2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-5-(2-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-5-yl)-[3,4′]bipyridinyl,         step 2 (see above) the title compound         (5-ethoxymethyl-2-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-[2′-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[3,4]bipyridinyl-5-yl]-amine         was obtained.

HPLC-MS: 1.67 min, [M+H] 416.

¹H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO) δ=9.02 (d, J=2.4, 1H), 8.84 (d, J=5.2, 1H), 8.73 (d, J=1.9, 2H), 8.70 (t, J=2.2, 1H), 8.26 (s, 1H), 8.11 (s, 1H), 8.00 (tt, J=9.0, 4.4, 1H), 7.95 (s, 1H), 7.81 (dd, J=5.2, 1.7, 1H), 7.54 (tdd, J=7.6, 6.1, 2.5, 1H), 7.38 (ddd, J=8.6, 2.4, 1.4, 2H), 4.57 (s, 2H), 3.56 (q, J=6.99, 2H), 2.48 (s, 3H), 1.19 (t, J=6.99, 3H).

II. Assays Example 14 Cellular Assay for Testing TGF-Beta Receptor I Kinase Inhibitors

As an example, the ability of the inhibitors to eliminate TGF-beta-mediated growth inhibition was tested. Cells of the lung epithelial cell line Mv1 Lu were sown in a defined cell density in a 96-well microtiter plate and cultivated overnight under standard conditions. Next day, the medium was replaced by medium which comprises 0.5% of FCS and 1 ng/ml of TGF-beta, and the test substances were added in defined concentrations, generally in the form of dilution series with 5 fold steps. The concentration of the solvent DMSO was constant at 0.5%. After a further two days, Crystal Violet staining of the cells was carried out. After extraction of the Crystal Violet from the fixed cells, the absorption was measured spectrophotometrically at 550 nm. It could be used as a quantitative measure of the adherent cells present and thus of the cell proliferation during the culture.

Example 15 Inhibition of Smad2/3 Phosphorylation in Mv1 Lu Cells by TGF-Beta Receptor I Kinase Inhibitors

This assay was used to determine the inhibitory potency of compounds on TGF-beta-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 (Ser465/467) and Smad3 (Ser423/425). Mv1-Lu cells (lung epithelial cell line from mink Mustela vison; ATCC number: CCL-64) were seeded in DMEM (Invitrogen) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (Pan Biotech) at a defined cell density in 24-well or 96-well plates (24-well plate: 1.5×10⁵ cells per well; 96-well plate: 4×10⁴ cells per well). Cell cultures were incubated in DMEM at 37° C. and 10% CO₂. On the next day, the medium was replaced and cells were serum-starved for 16-20 hours. The following day, serial dilutions of compounds were added to the wells, pre-incubated for 1.5 hrs before recombinant TGF-beta 1 ligand (final concentration 5 ng/ml; R&D systems) was added. After one hour of ligand stimulation, lysates were prepared and analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (PathScan Phospho-Smad2 Kit, Cell Signaling Technologies). The ELISA detects phosphorylated Smad2 as well as phosphorylated Smad3 with the phospho-specific antibody. TGF-beta stimulated cells and unstimulated cells served as positive and negative controls (100% and background control). The concentration of the vehicle DMSO was kept constant at 0.2% (v/v) in all wells. Dose-response relationships were fitted using curve fitting algorithms of the RS1 statistics software package (Brooks Automation Inc. RS/1—Statistical Tools Handbook. Release 6.2) to determine the concentration at which half-maximal inhibition (IC₅₀) of Smad2/3 phosphorylation was achieved.

Example 16 In-Vitro (Enzyme) Assay for Determination of the Efficacy of Inhibitors of the Inhibition of TGF-Beta-Mediated Effects

The kinase assay was carried out as 384-well flashplate assay. 31.2 nM of GST-ALK5, 439 nM of GST-SMAD2 and 3 mM of ATP (with 0.3 μCi of ³³P-ATP/well) were incubated in a total volume of 35 μl (20 mM of HEPES, 10 mM of MgCl₂, 5 mM of MnCl₂, 1 mM of DTT, 0.1% of BSA, pH 7.4) without or with test substance (5-10 concentrations) at 30° C. for 45 min. The reaction was stopped using 25 μl of 200 mM EDTA solution, filtered with suction at room temperature after 30 min, and the wells were washed with 3 times 100 μl of 0.9% NaCl solution. Radioactivity was measured in the TopCount. The IC₅₀ values were calculated using RS1. The results are given in Table 2.

TABLE 2 TβR activity (Example 16) 0 >10 μm HPLC-MS HPLC-MS + 1-10 μm Compound Name RT [min] [M + H⁺] ++ <1 μm 1 2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.50 444 ++ phenyl)-5-[1-(3- morpholin-4-yl- propyl)-1H- pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 2 3-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.80 375 ++ phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propan-1-ol 3 2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.49 457 ++ phenyl)-5-{1-[3-(4- methyl-piperazin- 1-yl)-propyl]-1H- pyrazol-4-yl}- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 4 2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.49 414 ++ phenyl)-5-[1-(1- methyl-piperidin-4- yl)-1H-pyrazol-4- yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl 5 2″-(2-Fluoro- 1.54 426 ++ phenyl)-6-(4- methyl-piperazin- 1-yl)- [3,3′;5′,4″]- terpyridine 6 2″-(2-Fluoro- 1.56 412 ++ phenyl)-6- piperazin-1-yl- [3,3′;5′,4″]- terpyridine 7 2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.54 400 ++ phenyl)-5-(1- piperidin-4-yl-1H- pyrazol-4-yl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 8 (3-{4-[2′-(2,5- 1.54 420 ++ Difluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propyl)-dimethyl- amine 9 (3-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.46 402 ++ phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propyl)-dimethyl- amine 10 (3-{4-[2′-(5-Chloro- 1.63 436 ++ 2-fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propyl)-dimethyl- amine 11 2-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- 2.11 429 ++ 5-trifluoromethyl- phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol 12 2-{4-[2′-(2,5- 1.88 379 ++ Difluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol 13 2-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.74 361 ++ phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol 14 2-{4-[2′-(5-Chloro- 2.02 395 ++ 2-fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol 15 2′-(2,5-Difluoro- 1.61 432 ++ phenyl)-5-[1-(1- methyl-piperidin-4- yl)-1H-pyrazol-4- yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl 16 2′-(2-Fluoro-5- 1.76 482 ++ trifluoromethyl- phenyl)-5-[1-(1- methyl-piperidin-4- yl)-1H-pyrazol-4- yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl 17 2′-(5-Chloro-2- 1.55 449 ++ fluoro-phenyl)-5- [1-(1-methyl- piperidin-4-yl)-1H- pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 18 2′-(5-Chloro-2- 1.74 434 ++ fluoro-phenyl)-5- (1-piperidin-4-yl- 1H-pyrazol-4-yl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 19 2′-(2-Fluoro- 2.20 378 phenyl)-5-quinolin- 3-yl- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 20 2-(4-{6-[2-(2- 1.78 362 ++ Fluoro-phenyl)- pyridin-4-yl]- pyrazin-2-yl}- pyrazol-1-yl)- ethanol 21 2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.50 444 ++ phenyl)-5-[1-(3- morpholin-4-yl- propyl)-1H- pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 22 3-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.80 375 ++ phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propan-1-ol 23 2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.49 457 ++ phenyl)-5-{1-[3-(4- methyl-piperazin- 1-yl)-propyl]-1H- pyrazol-4-yl}- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 24 2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.49 414 ++ phenyl)-5-[1-(1- methyl-piperidin-4- yl)-1H-pyrazol-4- yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl 25 2″-(2-Fluoro- 1.54 426 ++ phenyl)-6-(4- methyl-piperazin- 1-yl)- [3,3′;5′,4″]- terpyridine 26 2″-(2-Fluoro- 1.56 412 ++ phenyl)-6- piperazin-1-yl- [3,3′;5′,4″]- terpyridine 27 2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.54 400 ++ phenyl)-5-(1- piperidin-4-yl-1H- pyrazol-4-yl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 28 (3-{4-[2′-(2,5- 1.54 420 ++ Difluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propyl)-dimethyl- amine 29 (3-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.46 402 ++ phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propyl)-dimethyl- amine 30 (3-{4-[2′-(5-Chloro- 1.63 436 ++ 2-fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- propyl)-dimethyl- amine 31 2-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- 2.11 429 ++ 5-trifluoromethyl- phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol 32 2-{4-[2′-(2,5- 1.88 379 ++ Difluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol 33 2-{4-[2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.74 361 ++ phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol 34 2-{4-[2′-(5-Chloro- 2.02 395 ++ 2-fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-pyrazol-1-yl}- ethanol 35 2′-(2,5-Difluoro- 1.61 432 ++ phenyl)-5-[1-(1- methyl-piperidin-4- yl)-1H-pyrazol-4- yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl 36 2′-(2-Fluoro-5- 1.76 482 ++ trifluoromethyl- phenyl)-5-[1-(1- methyl-piperidin-4- yl)-1H-pyrazol-4- yl]-[3,4′]bipyridinyl 37 2′-(5-Chloro-2- 1.55 449 ++ fluoro-phenyl)-5- [1-(1-methyl- piperidin-4-yl)-1H- pyrazol-4-yl]- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 38 2′-(5-Chloro-2- 1.74 434 ++ fluoro-phenyl)-5- (1-piperidin-4-yl- 1H-pyrazol-4-yl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 39 2′-(2-Fluoro- 2.20 378 + phenyl)-5-quinolin- 3-yl- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 40 2-(4-{6-[2-(2- 1.78 362 ++ Fluoro-phenyl)- pyridin-4-yl]- pyrazin-2-yl}- pyrazol-1-yl)- ethanol 41 2′-(2-Fluoro- 2.19 317 ++ phenyl)-5-pyrazol- 1-yl- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 42 2′-(2-Fluoro- 2.43 435 + phenyl)-5-(2- trifluoromethyl-1H- pyrrolo[2,3- b]pyridin-5-yl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl 43 (2-Ethoxy-pyridin- 1.57 387 + 4-yl)-[2′-(2-fluoro- phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-amine 44 [2′-(2-Fluoro- 1.93 373 + phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-(6-methoxy- pyridin-3-yl)-amine 45 (5-Ethoxymethyl- 1.67 416 + 2-methyl- pyrimidin-4-yl)-[2′- (2-fluoro-phenyl)- [3,4′]bipyridinyl-5- yl]-amine 

The invention claimed is:
 1. Compounds of formula (I)

wherein: W₁, W₂, W₃ denote CR³, or W₁, W₂ denote CR³, and W₃ denotes N, R¹ phenyl optionally substituted by at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Hal and CF₃, R² denotes Ar, Het¹, Het², NH-Het¹ or NH-Het², each of which can be independently from each other substituted by R⁴, R³ denotes H, NYY or NY—COY, R⁴ denotes Hal, A, —(CYY)_(n)—OY, —(CYY)_(n)—NYY, (CYY)_(n)-Het³, (CYY)_(n)—O-Het³, SY, NO₂, CF₃, CN, COOY, —CO—NYY, —NY—COA, —NY—SO₂A, —SO₂—NYY, S(O)_(m)A, —CO-Het³, —O(CYY)_(n)—NYY, —O(CYY)_(n)-Het³, —NH—COOA, —NH—CO—NYY, —NH—COO—(CYY)_(n)—NYY, —NH—COO—(CYY)_(n)-Het³, —NH—CO—NH—(CYY)_(n)—NYY, —NH—CO—NH(CYY)_(n)-Het³, —OCO—NH—(CYY)_(n)—NYY, —OCO—NH—(CYY)_(n)-Het³, CHO, COA, ═S, ═NY, ═O, Y denotes H, A denotes unbranched or branched alkyl having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 C atoms, in which 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7H atoms can be replaced independently from one another by Hal and/or one or two CH₂ groups can be replaced independently of one another by a O, S, SO, SO₂, a —CY═CY— group and/or a —C≡C— group, Ar denotes a saturated, unsaturated or aromatic, mono- or bicyclic carbocycle having 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 C atoms, Het¹ denotes a saturated or unsaturated, mono, or bicyclic heterocycle having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 C atoms and 1, or 2 atoms, Het² denotes a mono, or bicyclic heteroaryl having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 C atoms and 1, or 2 atoms, Het³ denotes a saturated or unsaturated, mono or bicyclic heterocycle having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 C atoms and 1 or 2 N and/or O atoms, which can independently from each other be substituted by at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of A, Hal denotes F, Cl, Br or I, m denotes 0, 1 or 2, n denotes 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios.
 2. Compound according to claim 1, wherein R¹ denotes monocyclic aryl having 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 C atoms, preferably phenyl, which can be independently substituted by at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Y, Hal, CN, CF₃ and OY, and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios.
 3. Compound according to claim 1, wherein R² denotes Ar, Het² or NY-Het² which can independently from each other be substituted by R⁴, and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios.
 4. Compound according to claim 1, wherein R⁴ denotes A, CF₃, Hal, —(CYY)_(n)—OY, —(CYY)_(n)—NYY, or (CYY)_(n)-Het¹, and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios.
 5. Compound according to claim 1, which is the following compounds:

and the physiologically acceptable salts, solvates, tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios.
 6. Process for manufacturing a compound of formula (I) of claim 1 comprising: (a) reacting a compound of formula (II)

wherein R⁵ denotes Hal or B(OH)₂, and R¹ and Hal have the meaning as defined in claim 1, with a compound of formula (III)

wherein R⁶ denotes Hal, boronic acid or a ester of boronic acid, and R², W₁, W₂, W₃ and Hal have the meaning as defined in claim 1, to yield the compound of formula (I)

wherein R¹, R², W₁, W₂ and W₃ have the meaning as defined in claim 1, and optionally converting residue R¹ and/or R² as defined above into another residue R¹ and/or R², or (b) reacting a compound of formula (IV)

wherein R⁷ denotes Hal, boronic acid or a ester of boronic acid, and R², W₁, W₂, W₃ and Hal have the meaning as defined in claim 1, with a compound of formula (V) R⁸—R¹  (V) wherein R⁸ denotes Hal or B(OH)₂, and R¹ and Hal have the meaning as defined in claim 1, to yield the compound of formula (I)

wherein R¹, R², W₁, W₂ and W₃ have the meaning as defined in claim 1, and optionally converting residue R¹ and/or R² as defined in claim 1 into another residue R¹ and/or R², or (c) reacting a compound of formula (VI)

wherein R⁹ denotes Hal or B(OH)₂, and R¹, W₁, W₂, W₃ and Hal have the meaning as defined in claim 1, with a compound of formula (VII) R¹⁰—R²  (VII) wherein R¹⁰ denotes Hal, boronic acid or a ester of boronic acid, and R² and Hal have the meaning as defined in claim 1, to yield the compound of formula (I)

wherein R¹, R², W₁, W₂ and W₃ have the meaning as defined in claim 1, and optionally converting residue R¹ and/or R² as defined in claim 1 into another residue R¹ and/or R², e.g. by cleaving a protection group and/or introducing an alkyl group, and optionally (d) converting a base or an acid of the compound of formula (I) into a salt thereof.
 7. Medicament comprising at least one compound according to claim
 1. 8. The medicament according to claim 7, additionally comprising at least one pharmacologically active substance.
 9. Pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 1, optionally further comprising at least one additional compound selected from the group consisting of physiologically acceptable excipients, auxiliaries, adjuvants, diluents, carriers and an additional pharmaceutically active substance other than the compound according to claim
 1. 10. Kit comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound according to claim 1 and a therapeutically effective amount of at least one further pharmacologically active substance other than the compound according to claim
 1. 11. The compounds of claim 1, wherein R² denotes Ar, Het1 or Het2.
 12. The method of claim 6, wherein the converting residue R¹ and/or R² as defined in claim 1 into another residue R¹ and/or R² is by cleaving a protecting group and/or introducing an alkyl group. 